The Bradfordian - Bradford Grammar School

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Issue 354

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radfordian | Issue 354 | A

utumn 2020

Quotation: Vladimir Ilyich LeninAn extract from the Headmaster’s introduction

For the full introduction please turn to page 06

and there are

There aredecades

where nothinghappens;

weekswhere decades

happen.

Contents

School NotesJUNIOR, SENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

04–25

From the Headmaster

Virtual Speech Day 2020 – Headmaster’s Speech

Staff Leavers

University Degree Course Admissions and Vocations 2020

Examination Results 2020

Junior SchoolJUNIOR

26–51

Arts and Performance

Communities, Societies and Activities

Trips and Events

Sporting Achievements

Arts and PerformanceSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

52–61

Singing Children of Africa

‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Music concerts and performances

New Music Department personnel

A song for the NHS

Acting the part

Music student celebrates diploma achievement

Music roundup

Talent snapshot

Communities, Societies and ActivitiesSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

62–83

An inspiration to us all!

BGS pupil becomes lifesaver

Inspiring children to pick up a racket

Bradford University Mock Trial

Bebras Challenge finalist

French lessons at Frizinghall Primary

BGS pupils help create anti-knife campaign app

BGS wins national wellbeing award

Juvenes Translatores

First Lego League Competition

Having a Ball!

Meet Lewis Pattinson: BGS Head Groundsman

WW1 Tribute

Modern Foreign Language Debating Competition

Year 9 Schools Linking event

Farewell Year 13

‘Our students have a lot to give ...’

‘Pupils have adapted and shown resilience beyond belief ...’

Our Year 10 netballers raise funds despite lockdown

Apart but always united

‘We can’t control the storms of life ...’

BGS Befriending scheme

BGS help with food donations and distributions

Health staff thank BGS for making vital PPE equipment

OB makes almost 100 visors for NHS staff

BGS in the Press

National NHS bike initiative

Keeping in touch with our new Year 7 pupils

Wildlife charity fundraising target ‘smashed’!

Our students adapt to new ways of working

What to do when school shuts and sport is cancelled?

TripsSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

84–91

Year 7 Residential

Geography field trip

Junior Classics trip

Rotterdam Hockey tour

Spanish trip

Vecht racing in the Netherlands

Journey to Ainsdale Sands

South Africa Hockey tour

World War I Battlefields

Amazon UK Business trip

Tudor London trip

Junior Ski trip – Bardonecchia, Italy

Senior Ski trip – Killington, USA

Events and Visiting SpeakersSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

92–95

Children enjoy European Day of Languages celebrations

Local schools enjoy visit from bestselling children’s author

Annual Fashion Show

Open Science Lecture Series: ‘The Genomics Revolution’

Sporting AchievementsSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

96–99

Girls’ team historic cross country win!

BGS Swimming successes

Table tennis triumphs

U14 hockey girls make school history

Sport ReportsSENIOR AND SIXTH FORM

100–128

Athletics

Cricket

Cross Country

Hockey

Netball

Orienteering

Rowing

Rugby

Squash

Swimming

Table Tennis

Tennis

SchoolNotes

From the Headmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06Virtual Speech Day 2020 – Headmaster’s Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07Staff Leavers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12University Degree Course Admissions and Vocations 2020 . . . . . . 20Examination Results 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Welcome to this latest edition of ‘The Bradfordian’ 2020. ‘There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.’ VLADIMIR ILYICH LENIN

This past year, and our particular chapter of School history, will be long remembered. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced changes upon Bradford Grammar School, affecting staff, pupils and their families, like no other challenge we have faced since our foundation. These have been, they continue to be, extraordinary times.

Autumn term proceeded smoothly. New faces in the pupil body and on the staff injected fresh energy; everyone was enjoying their work and knuckling down. We celebrated some significant anniversaries: 35 years of girls in the Sixth Form and 20 years of full co-education. We talked and made merry at reunions of Old Bradfordians in the Price Hall, London and Toronto for example. We engaged in physical activity, successfully so, noting later that BGS had climbed to 29th spot nationally, from outside the top 100, to sit amongst vaulted company in a widely recognised ranking of independent school sport. Music enriched our Founders’ Day Service and stirred emotions in the run up to Christmas. All utterly brilliant, but business as usual for BGS. By the time ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ put broad smiles on faces we quietly knew that this was going to be a special year. So it has proven to be.

Lockdown did not stop BGS, instead we adjusted to a new school routine, and quickly too. We were determined early on to sustain pastoral, academic and co-curricular (wider learning) provision, and mimic as far as was practicable the rhythm of a normal school day. At the same time, we understood it would be beneficial to deliver age appropriate programmes, begin steadily with remote learning in order to leave no one behind and build in capacity for incremental improvement to keep things fresh. We also sought to deliver a degree of flexibility recognising that both pupils and teachers would be facing many various pressures. The task, educational, operational and commercial, ongoing still, is significant.

From the Headmaster …

That said, any realist who takes a step back and looks with objective, clear sight at our School cannot fail to be impressed by the manner in which colleagues and children, with the support of their families, have responded. The COVID-19 crisis has brought out both the very best and, let’s be honest, also the worst in people, and I have been minded to reflect on the following words, spoken by Alan K. Simpson: ‘If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.’

I have seen the best of Bradford Grammar this past academic year. My humble thanks are extended to Governors, colleagues, pupils and their parents, Old Bradfordians and friends of our School – the ‘BGS family’ – for your kind messages, understanding and support. Please do not underestimate the value of your words and deeds. We have acted collectively for the good of the young people at our School and also for those who will follow them in years to come. I am proud to be part of BGS.

Hoc Age.

Dr Simon Hinchliffe BA, MEd, PhD, FRSA

Headmaster

Virtual Speech Day 2020Headmaster’s Speech

Greetings from the Douglas Hamilton Room here at Bradford Grammar School. Please allow me to add my words of welcome to those of Lady Morrison, who I would also like to thank for her opening comments. So, welcome Old Bradfordians, Governors, colleagues, friends of BGS, our guest speaker (OB, actor, writer and director) Enzo Cilenti, and finally, welcome parents and pupils, to a different kind of Speech Day and Senior School Prize Giving 2020.

The history of our illustrious school stretches back to before 1548. Our Royal Charter hangs on the wall behind me. Dating back to 1662, it affirms the establishment and purpose of the Free School of King Charles II in Bradford and speaks of our longevity and rich heritage. We have moved locations; Cathedral site to Manor Row to Frizinghall. We have moved with the times, for example, by dint of the Forster Reform Acts, direct grant and assisted places schemes and a shift to co-education. We have survived civil war, world wars, and recessions, political and social upheaval. But have we ever experienced a year like this one?

…

The Bradfordian06/07

School NotesFrom the Headmaster …

Virtual Speech Day 2020Headmaster’s Speech

I might try to convince you that there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ year at BGS. We remain far too characterful for that! But 2020 has been unique.

The School year started in a similar fashion to many others. We nodded our caps and flapped our academic gowns at those who had worked hard to achieve the public examination results they deserved. One notable achievement was a record-breaking GCSE outcome, with 76 per cent of all grades recorded at 7 or above, the old A*A benchmark. The safe passage of our Year 13 leavers to universities, apprenticeships and gap years was also noted; and then we began gearing up to celebrate another set of BGS anniversaries.

Recently, we acknowledged the 70th birthday of the current school buildings and estate. This year, we celebrated 35 years of girls in the BGS Sixth Form and 20 years of full co-education. Ours is a school that has evolved over times. Our motto ‘Hoc Age’ is a useful mantra in this context, encouraging us all, broadly speaking, to ‘get on with it’ whatever changes might be rung. Therefore, when girls joined the school, a few hundred terrified boys, and a handful of overly excited ones too (!), along with some apprehensive schoolmasters, just had to get on with it; and so, they did.

I have to say, it was a great pleasure to meet Charlotte, daughter of former Headmaster David ‘Dags’ Smith, at the annual dinner of the Old Bradfordians Club London last autumn. Charlotte was one of the first pioneering girls to attend BGS and she had some illuminating stories to tell of those days, I can tell you.

Also at the dinner that night was OB Gerrard and his wife Helen. I had enjoyed the pleasure of their company a few weeks earlier in Toronto. At that gathering of OBs, Helen told me she had been a pupil at Bradford Girls in the 1950s, but also that she and a fellow female friend had walked down the hill to study Physics at the boys’ school, namely Bradford Grammar, BGS. Moreover, I understand that a chivalrous Physics master brewed up Earl Grey tea in an old army mess tin over a Bunsen burner for his visiting female students, who themselves were told, at the time, that they were the first girls to receive an education at BGS, albeit as guests.

In 2020, this former all boys’ school achieves a beautiful demographic balance, in many different ways, with respect to both its pupils and staff, and also Governors too. No one could possibly have missed the fact that Lady Morrison is, when all’s said and done, a woman! From Cumbria too, which also counts as another kind of diversity in West Yorkshire.

Innovation, adaption, flexing somewhat with the times, BGS has never stopped moving forwards, whilst at the same time holding true to our core values of scholarship and endeavour, of laudable ambition and making the most of opportunities. Continuity and change in harmony, expressed in the very fabric of the estate and in an abiding School culture of aspiration, but also personality and warmth.

Nevertheless, I repeat a question posed earlier: have we ever experienced a year like this one?

Times are tough, there is no point softening that blow. These past weeks some members of our school community, staff and pupils alike, have experienced hardship, poor health, the loss of loved ones and friends, brought about, or made worse, by the virus. This is true for my family. Sadly, I know it is true for others at BGS as well. And it is not over yet. However, the strength, spirit and sense of common purpose that I have witnessed at BGS these past weeks has been humbling and inspiring. The current crisis has undoubtedly brought out the best, and yes, also the worst in people.

I am still standing, so is the school behind me, so are you. Take heart from what you have achieved. At the start of the crisis, as lockdown began, I wrote the following:

‘We know that our pupils are capable and kind; they will undoubtedly show initiative, solve problems for themselves and support each other when needed. Colleagues at BGS are problem solvers too and with a little patience and understanding, we will make things work, together ... We should ignore the social commentary of others, characterising British youth as ‘snowflakes’ or similar. I know different. I fully expect our young people to prove their character in these challenging times, to demonstrate some gumption. Folk should take note.’

We are taking note now; and I am saying well done to you all.

I have never been prouder to be associated with Bradford Grammar School than I am right now. The manner in which our School has risen to meet the challenge of the coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic has been incredible. I say again, well done.

Now, as is traditional today, we say goodbye to those teaching colleagues who have left or are leaving later this year and acknowledge their contribution to BGS. Thank you to Jill Elburn who stepped in as an experienced Teacher of Geography for a maternity cover earlier in the year. We are also deeply grateful to sports graduate assistants Maysie Scott, Rhianna Egan and Matt Anderson who leave BGS at the end of the year. We also say thank you and goodbye to Teacher of English, Hetty Hughes. Hetty brought fresh thinking and new pedagogy to BGS that she was able to share both within her department and more widely as one of our Teaching and Learning Champions.

Ordinarily, we tend not to mention colleagues who are leaving the Junior School at this gathering, not because we don’t like them (!), but rather because there is another time and place for such things. However, that said, I would like to offer a personal vote of thanks to Jane Disley who joined BGS to lead Clock House for the first two terms of this academic year. Jane did great work in a short space of time and has helped to prepare the foundations for the next chapter in the development of our Junior School. I am glad to say that she now takes up a place on the Board of Governors, so we will continue to benefit from her experience and wisdom for a little while longer yet.

Finally, in this edition of ‘The Bradfordian’ magazine, I would also like to include a special thank you to Sheila Freeman who has served BGS with great loyalty and enthusiasm for 19 years in her capacity as an IT Technician. A contribution of this nature to our School will not be forgotten. Thank you, Sheila.

It remains a great privilege and honour to be able to talk to you as the twenty-ninth Headmaster of this iconic school and to reflect on the past year – the trials, but also the academic, creative, sporting, community facing successes, too many to mention individually, that make up the story of BGS life 2019/2020.

Congratulations to our prize winners. You deserve to be recognised; your achievements celebrated. But today is for all BGS students and the futures we build for ourselves; the difficult stuff and the laughs too; the many small victories that build confidence and self-esteem; the good that we do by virtue of helping others and caring for our environment. This is the modern BGS.

Keep going and Hoc Age!

Headmaster’s closing remarks ...

Congratulations once again to all prize-winners; indeed, well done to all students at BGS for your positivity, ambition and continued engagement in school life, modelling BGS values to the full in the face of extraordinary challenges.

Thank you to my amazing colleagues in all departments on the support and teaching sides of Bradford Grammar School, all equally valuable, all essential. You have rolled your sleeves up and shown a dedication to our young people, pupils in the Junior School, students at the Senior end of things, that is commendable, balancing your own family lives with professional commitments. I am sincerely grateful to you all.

None of us will forget these times that we are living through right now, and we can only do our best. Isn’t that what we want to be able to say of ourselves in years to come – we did our best?

Now we come to the end. Thank you again to our guest speaker Enzo Cilenti for sharing some inspirational and entertaining thoughts and words with us all.

Ordinarily, we would now take afternoon tea on the school terrace. The organ would sound, I would flounce down the Price Hall aisle in my electric blue academic gown looking, as I’ve said before, like Gandalf fresh from a weekend ‘stag do’ in Blackpool, or perhaps a refugee from some 70s glam rock band. Anyway, in the absence of cream buns and fizz on the school terrace, may I encourage you instead to retire to your gardens for a glass of something refreshing to celebrate. That’s where I’m heading, even if it’s drizzling.

Thank you for joining us and do look after yourselves.

Headmaster’s blog as we entered lockdown ...

‘I fully expect our young people to prove their character’ (19 March 2020)

A reflection, and why not? It’s late, I can’t sleep and there is a restorative glass of something Scottish in easy reach.

We are in new territory, as a school community, as a nation. The vast majority of our pupils, some colleagues too, will soon be working from home. Nevertheless, it is our ambition to keep BGS families informed and connected with school. These are unprecedented times and we are embracing new ways of learning, working and looking after each other. Bradford Grammar School is not closed, we are simply adjusting to a new routine.

That said, my heart goes out to all our students who are understandably wondering what the remainder of the academic year will hold for them, most particularly our Year 11s and Year 13s who have been working so hard and positively towards GCSE and A Level exams. There are several teachers at BGS who have shed a tear in the presence of exam classes. We care deeply and will use our influence and agency, work with Ofqual and exam boards, to find a fair and equitable way forward for everyone. When we hear what is going to happen next, we will let our students and families know. For now, we wait, patiently, trusting to the anticipated judgements of Ministers and senior colleagues.

...


School NotesFrom the Headmaster …

To close, and perhaps illustrate the point, this is an email exchange today from Bradford Grammar School between a Year 13 student and our fantastic chef, Mr Winter ...

Subject: Chef’s choice on Friday

Dear Mr Winter,

Seeing as this Friday will be the last day for Year 13 pupils, I would just like to request that the ‘chef’s choice’ dessert could be a firm favourite – treacle sponge. This sponge has brightened the days of pupils for years and to have it as part of our last supper would be nothing but amazing. I look forward to hearing about your delicious amendment to Friday’s menu.

Many thanks (on behalf of the hungry Year 13s)

Swiftly followed by ...

Subject: RE: Chef’s choice on Friday

Hi

I can now confirm that treacle sponge will be on the menu for Friday lunch, thank you for your email and good luck with life after BGS.

Kind regardsDean Winter, Executive Chef

At the time of writing, there remains much that we do not know. I wrote in my recent letter to BGS families that we will do our best to support the ongoing education of our young people; however, any new pattern of working will demand a period of adjustment and whilst we have tried hard to keep things straightforward, use familiar systems and mimic the rhythms of a normal school day, we anticipate the occasional hiccup. Reassuringly, we know that our pupils are capable and kind; they will undoubtedly show initiative, solve problems for themselves and support each other when needed. Colleagues at BGS are problem solvers too and with a little patience and understanding, we will make things work, together.

We talk a lot about our historic school motto ‘Hoc Age’ in assemblies and written communications. I mention it again now for example. Its meaning, more or less ‘get on and do it’, axiomatic with School identity, becomes a mantra now for our collective approach. Something about grit? We should ignore the social commentary of others, characterising British youth as ‘snowflakes’ or similar. I know different. I fully expect our young people to prove their character in these challenging times, to demonstrate some gumption. Folk should take note.

Dr Simon Hinchliffe BA, MEd, PhD, FRSA

Headmaster


Staff Leavers

Hetty Hughes

By L Hanson, Head of English

Hetty came to BGS in September 2016 from John Smeaton Academy in Leeds where she had completed her Teach First training.

A versatile and talented teacher, she taught almost everything, from A Level to practical Drama at KS3. A co-producer and co-director with the Ilkley Playhouse’s Green Room and a gifted performer in her own right, she wasted no time becoming involved with extra-curricular Drama and in 2018 her directorial debut in The Hockney Theatre was a hilarious production of John Godber’s ‘Teechers’. A reluctant leaver, Hetty is relocating to Salisbury where her officer husband Michael will begin a new job in the British Army. She has plans for a PhD and to spend time with their daughter, Penny. She will be missed, but to paraphrase her favourite Shakespeare play, the revels are not ended and what is past is always prologue.

Barry Thorn

By S Thrippleton, HR Officer

Barry joined BGS in 2010 following a 35-year career with West Yorkshire Police.

His former career included roles as Patrol Officer, Road Traffic Patrol, Accident Investigation, Branch Firearms Community Patrol, Crime Prevention Health & Safety Officer, Police Federation Treasurer and Health & Safety Leader, all of which stood him in good stead to become the BGS Health, Safety & Training Manager.

Barry introduced many health and safety initiatives across the school and particularly enjoyed the competitions he ran with the pupils.

There is no question that under Barry’s direction, health and safety has become part of daily routines for all members of staff and pupils. Recent audits and inspections have praised the school’s attitude towards health and safety, and this is largely due to Barry’s knowledge, support and perhaps his policing background!

In his spare time, of which he now has plenty, Barry enjoys walking in the Dales and taking short breaks with his family. I am also told he is a big Star Trek fan!

We all wish Barry a long and happy retirement.

Emma Wragg

By L Davis, Director of Development & External Relations

Emma delivered a wide range of marketing and communications activities during her time at BGS, across both digital and print media, all underpinning admissions and external relations objectives. Her warmth and quirkiness informed some lasting friendships made here.

Emma is without doubt, a ‘creative’ (often quoting Mad Men!). She was rightly proud of the work she undertook on the ‘Happiness’ campaign, profiling our award-winning pastoral provision. Fitting, then, that her next role offers her greater focus on the campaign activity she loves, working with the Leeds-based consultancy Magpie to promote healthy living to young people. We wish her all the best!

Simon Thompson


Simon joined BGS back in 1997 as a fresh-faced enthusiastic IT Technician following a placement at Bradford College on the Bradford Economic Development Unit.

During his time at BGS, Simon played an integral part in the school’s development of and use of IT. Under the direction of the previous Network Manager and Director of IT he too developed his career and was promoted to the role of Network Manager in 2001.

He forged good relationships with all of his colleagues and offered a very supportive IT service to staff and pupils alike, whilst managing the school’s network and IT infrastructure.

BGS has played a major role in Simon’s life, not only due to his long length of service. It was also the place where a workplace romance blossomed; he met his wife Caroline and has since become a proud father to their four children (and not forgetting their Norwegian Forest cat!)

Simon became fanatical about getting and keeping fit – you would often see him sticking to a variety of diets, and setting himself many fitness challenges including cycling events such as Yorkshire Sportive in the Dales, a triathlon, a half marathon and a full marathon. His other passion outside of work is cooking, especially curries.

Having worked closely with Simon during my time at BGS, I would personally like to thank him for his support and wish him every success in his future career.


School NotesStaff Leavers

Jane Disley

By the Junior Leadership Team (JLT)

In September 2019, Clock House was fortunate to benefit from the arrival of Mrs Disley, who stayed at the helm of the Junior School until the end of the Spring Term 2020, whilst the School was between Heads.

She rose to the challenge after being persuaded to come on board for two terms by Dr Hinchliffe, to whom we are very grateful for this introduction. Mrs Disley brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, having worked in education for many years. Within a few weeks, it was clear that her leadership skills were appreciated by staff, parents and pupils alike.

During the end of her tenure, she worked closely with our newly appointed Head, Mr Ribeiro, to ensure a smooth handover and continuity of the good practice in place at Clock House. Our farewell gathering will be a lasting memory, as it took place in a virtual setting. Once again, Mrs Disley rose to the occasion and spent an hour or two with us online whilst we raised a glass to her and enjoyed paying our tributes. We would like to wish Mrs Disley well in her retirement and hope to see her in school from time to time at some of our various events. Finally, we would like to congratulate Mrs Disley on her appointment as a School Governor. In our experience of her expertise, we believe this is an excellent enhancement to the whole School.

Jenny Watts


After doing a fantastic job of teaching our Year 3 pupils for nine years, during the summer of 2019, Mrs Watts took some time to think about how she would like to spend her future years as she approached retirement. Much to our surprise, she decided to leave her teaching post at Clock House earlier than we had anticipated and step down from school life for a while.

Mrs Watts lives in a beautiful part of North Yorkshire and felt her passion for the outdoors had become a priority. Anyone who knows Mrs Watts would be aware that she is an avid walker and treasures her time spent in the fells and dales close to her home.

In school, aside from her talent for teaching, Mrs Watts’s seamstress skills came to the fore when making costumes for our school productions. She always managed to outdo the rest of us on World Book Day each year, her Mary Poppins being a favourite of our pupils. Mrs Watts was a keen supporter of her colleagues, a firm but fair teacher and always happy to be involved in the creative aspects of school life.

We will miss her sense of humour and good judgement, when faced with adversity. We will not, however, forget Mrs Watts, as she very kindly gifted us Watts’s Willow Walk, a beautiful, natural structure which lives close to the Clock House playground. As it continues to grow, it will provide our pupils with a shaded area of joy. Thank you, Mrs Watts. We wish you well in your pursuit and enjoyment of the countryside’s natural gifts and hope that you will visit us often.Katherine Atkinson


Katherine Atkinson leaves us as she reaches the end of her contract with the School. We are very sad to say goodbye to Katherine, who has been a truly wonderful colleague and great friend to us all.

During her two-term tenure in Year 4 this academic year, she really proved to us what an asset she is to the School. Her patience and kindness with the children (as well as the staff!) have been exemplary and a reflection of the fantastic teacher and a team player that she is.

Hopefully, we will see her again soon, but in the meantime Kath, we wish you all the very best and hope that you enjoy some time with your family before we call on you again.

Rebecca Bull

By L Davis, Director of Development & External Relations

Rebecca arrived at BGS having run her own business, prior to which she worked for the Department of Education and Leeds University Business School.

BGS truly galvanised her aspiration to develop a career in schools, and whilst Rebecca’s departure was a sad day for the Development Office, none could dispute that her new role seems tailormade: in March 2020, she took up post as School Business Manager with Highbury School in Brighouse.

Rebecca was a great support to me when I arrived at BGS. She was a quiet but effective force and I will always be amazed at how adept she was in regularly developing her database skills as a non-specialist, not stopping until she had solved a problem completely. The affection the OBA Committee held her in also speaks volumes, and we wish her well.



Sheila Freeman


After being educated in Hong Kong, Sheila returned to the UK. Education has remained an environment in which she has clearly enjoyed, having held previous IT positions at The Holy Family Roman Catholic Secondary School, Bradford Girls Grammar School, Priesthorpe High School and last but by no means least, BGS when she joined us in 2001 as an IT Technician.

During her time at BGS, Sheila has been a key member of the IT Team and has given dedicated support to her colleagues across the school. She was never far away with a new cable, monitor, mouse or whatever other strange requests we have all had, and above all else, always remained calm – even when dealing with the most testing of requests at times!

She became the Technician Staff Representative on the Information & Consultation Forum in 2019 and played a very proactive role on this.

Sheila is passionate about horses and now she is retired, she is planning to spend much of her newfound freedom down at the stables.

Thank you Sheila for your calm approach and dedicated support. We wish you a very long and happy retirement.

Oliver Theaker

By V Powne, Head of Physics

Oliver joined BGS in September 2014 and, during his five years here, made significant contributions to all areas of school life.

He is a proactive Physics teacher who takes great pride in his work. As a valued member of the department, he was always on hand to contribute ideas, resources and debate the intricacies of past exam paper questions. He could always be relied on to take on additional responsibilities including organising workshops, discussion groups and trips to lectures at local universities for A Level pupils.

One of Oliver’s most notable achievements was the creation of the BGS Open Science Lecture Series in 2016, which is now managed by Dr Livesey. He coordinated speakers from the scientific community, often Old Bradfordians, to give evening talks to parents and pupils of all year groups once each term on a range of scientific topics, including ‘Primeval Slime’ and the ‘Genomic Revolution’.

As well as contributing to the academic life of the school, Oliver spent most Saturdays in winter travelling around Yorkshire to coach and referee rugby fixtures for BGS pupils. He is passionate about the sport and enjoyed going on the tour to the USA and Canada in 2018. He also assisted with Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, the Year 7 Ilkley walk and many other co-curricular events during his time at BGS.

Oliver left BGS in December 2019 to take up the post of Head of Science at Mount St Mary’s College near Sheffield. We wish him every success in the future.

Primrose Wright, Sarbjit Dulay and Leigh Scott

By S Cuffy, Cleaning Manager

Primrose Wright, Sarbjit Dulay and Leigh Scott were members of the cleaning staff who worked at Bradford Grammar School for many years (totally over 20 years combined).

They were hardworking, loyal and committed members of the Estates Department, and always worked weekends after functions and events to ensure the school was always kept clean and tidy. They will each be dearly missed from the Cleaning Department.

Gail Monnickendam

By S Hinchliffe, Headmaster

Gail Monnickendam took up the post of Bursar in September 2018 following the departure of Ian Findlay.

She brought a wealth of relevant experience to the role that was of particular value in the latter stages of the sports redevelopment programme. Completion of the building works was overseen by Gail and the project was delivered on time. Other key accomplishments lead by Gail included the new parental contract and rationalisation of ‘back room’ financial processes, controls and reporting. She was also involved in matters relating to IT strategy, and helped to make some key appointments in this area that are already bearing fruit.

Gail’s commitment to BGS and her work ethic were exceptional and during her time with us, she played an active part in the whole school response to the COVID-19 crisis. Colleagues and Governors are grateful for her contribution and pass on good wishes for the future.



Jill ElburnTeacher of Geography

Katie AllenLibrary Assistant

Matt AndersonGraduate Sports Assistant – Hockey

Rhianna EganGraduate Sports Assistant – Netball

Nicholas HindleGraduate Sports Assistant – Rugby

Maysie ScottGraduate Sports Assistant – Rowing

Ross KirtlandSports Graduate Rugby Coach

Paul InnesWeekend Caretaker

... to the following staff for their contributions to the School


University Degree Course Admissions and Vocations 2020

A

Takreem Ahmad King's College London, University of London, Medicine

Haseeb Ahmed Cardiff University, Medicine

Sufyan Ahmed London School of Economics and Political Science – University of London, Politics

Tawheed Ahmed Leeds Beckett University, Biomedical Sciences

Danyal Akhtar University of Oxford, History

Isra Al-Sheibani University of Bradford, Chemistry

Affaan Ali University of Plymouth, Dental Surgery

Nameer Ali University of Leeds, Medicine

Sara Ali University of Leeds, Medicine

Thomas Atkinson University of St Andrews, International Relations

Dylan Aujla University of Leeds, Computer Science

Hamad Ayaz University of Leicester, Accounting and Finance

Ayesha Ayub University of Huddersfield, Podiatry

B

Rabia Bashir Hull York Medical School, Medicine

Emily Baxter Durham University, Natural Sciences

Alexander Bellamy Royal Agricultural University, Rural Land Management

Samuel Berry Durham University, General Engineering

Christian Burke University of Oxford, History

Oliver Burrows UCL (University College London), Economics

Dauood Butt Grant Thornton UK LLP, Degree Apprenticeship

C

Catherine Chapman Sheffield Hallam University, Real Estate

James Chapman University of Nottingham, Economics

Alastair Christian Durham University, General Engineering

Benjamin Cierpiol University of Nottingham, Finance, Accounting and Management

Sophie Clough UCL (University College London), History of Art

Matthew Cogan University of Oxford, History

Emily Conn University of Liverpool, Medicine

Alicia Cumberland Loughborough University, Geography

Emma Cunningham University of Bradford, MNurse (Adult/Mental Health)

D

Cyrus Darabi Loughborough University, Product Design and Technology (with placement year)

Eve Dawson Newcastle University, Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

F

Emily Fewlass Jones University of Oxford, Biology

Danyal Fiaz University of Leicester, Accounting and Finance

Jake Fitzpatrick Northumbria University, Newcastle, Civil Engineering

Laura Fitzpatrick Newcastle University, Law

G

Ariana Galdins Durham University, Chemistry

Mahmoud Ghoneim University of Reading, Architecture

Emelye Gill Durham University, Geology

Nikhil Gohri Softcat, Apprenticeship

Matthew Gregson University of Birmingham, Mathematics

H

Elizabeth Hamer Newcastle University, Computer Science

Maia Hammond University of Nottingham, Architectural Environment Engineering

Nimrah Haq University of Leeds, Medicine

Gemma Harrison University of Reading, Psychology and Language Sciences

Samuel Harrison Newcastle University, Business Management

James Harrop University of Sheffield, English Literature

James Hartley University of Oxford, German and Russian

Daniel Hawthorn The University of Edinburgh, History

Joseph Hopper University of Nottingham, Natural Sciences

Lucinda Hopton University of St Andrews, Latin and Modern History

Idris Hussain University of Liverpool, Mathematics and Economics

Rahim Hussain University of St Andrews, Chemistry

I

Aman Ismail University of Sheffield, Biomedical Science

J

Fabian Javed Newcastle University, Politics and History

Declan Johnson University of Glasgow, Civil Engineering


School NotesUniversity Degree Course Admissions and Vocations 2020

K

Aaisha Khan University of Hull, History

Alaynah Khan University of Sunderland, Medicine

Iman Khan University of Leeds, Asia Pacific Studies and Chinese

Lisan Khan Leeds Beckett University, Real Estate and Property Management

Myrah Khan University of Manchester, Law

Zain Khan Keele University, Medicine

Syrah Kishver Newcastle University, Journalism, Media and Culture

Astrid Knox-McConnell UCL (University College London), History and Politics of the Americas (with a year abroad)

Jaya Krishna University of Nottingham, Medicine BMBS (Lincoln pathway)

L

Samuel Laljee University of York, Computer Science (with a year in industry)

Matthew Lansbury University of Nottingham, Veterinary Medicine

M

Sacha Macy Newcastle University, Mechanical Engineering

Raja Madni University of Leeds, Computer Science

Adeem Malik University of Leicester, Accounting and Finance

Anika Malik University of Bradford, Clinical Sciences/Medicine Foundation

Oliver Marshall Leeds Beckett University, Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Amber McAllister University of Liverpool, Psychology

Henry Miller Durham University, History

Fizzah Mirza University of Manchester, Physics

Isobel Moorhouse University of Liverpool, History

Ella Moran University of Liverpool, Psychology

N

Aaron Narang University of Sheffield, Dental Surgery

Angus Newton University of Nottingham, Geography with Business

Salya Noor University of Bradford, Optometry

O

Oliver Ogden Newcastle University, Mathematics and Accounting

Santos Orenga de Gaffory King's College London, University of London, Accounting and Finance

P

Georgia Pope Newcastle University, Psychology

Harry Pope Newcastle University, Marine Biology

Joshua Poulsen Durham University, Economics and Politics

R

Nancy Rae University of Manchester, Management (Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship)

Sama Rafaquat Universitat de Valencia, Dentistry

Georgia Rayner Newcastle University, Marketing and Management

Stella Richards University of Sheffield, Geography

Alishba Rizvi University of Manchester, Medicine

Hazel Robinson University of Glasgow, French/Psychology

Lily Robinson University of Liverpool, Politics and French

S

Melody Seifzadeh Nottingham Trent University, Psychology

Amaan Shaffi Lancaster University, Medicine and Surgery

Jiaqi Shao Imperial College London, Computing (Management and Finance)

Noor Sharif UCL (University College London), Anthropology (with a year abroad)

Alexander Sharp University of St Andrews, Medicine

Sammer Sheikh Hull York Medical School, Medicine

Lucy Sherwood University of Liverpool, Business Management

Henry Smith Newcastle University, Economics

William Smith Lancaster University, Geography

Haris Sultan University of Liverpool, Medicine

Oliver Sunderland Newcastle University, Business Management

T

Henry Taggart Durham University, History

Sian Taylor Nottingham Trent University, Physics with Nuclear Technology

Hari Thiaray University of Nottingham, Industrial Economics

Blaine Thomas University of Oxford, Law

William Tullie University of Huddersfield, Engineering Foundation (General)

W

Uzair Waheed University of Huddersfield, Pharmacy

Daniel Watterston UCL (University College London), Economics (with placement year)

Eve Wellings University of Liverpool, Business Economics

Josh White University of Liverpool, Dental Surgery

Tom Wilson University of Manchester, Civil Engineering with Industrial Experience

Z

Abdullah Zaman Loughborough University, Computer Science (with placement year)

Anila Zaman Hull York Medical School, Medicine

Hamza Zamir University of Manchester, Aerospace Engineering

We have taken every effort to ensure this information is accurate. Should you come across any inaccuracies, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will endeavour to rectify this on the online version.


School NotesUniversity Degree Course Admissions and Vocations 2020

mailto:development%40bradfordgrammar.com%20?subject=University%20Degree%20Course%20Admissions%20and%20Vocations%202020


Examination Results 2020General Certificate of Education (A Level) 2020

We extend our congratulations to all

of our students on their achievements this year!

AZaeem Abbas Biology A, Chemistry A, Mathematics A*

Takreem Ahmad Biology A, Chemistry A, MathematicsSufyan Ahmed Economics A*, Politics A*, Religious Studies A

Tawheed Ahmed Biology, Chemistry, MathematicsDanyal Akhtar Biology A*, French A*, History A*, Mathematics A

Affaan Ali Biology A, Chemistry A, Spanish A*

Nameer Ali Biology A, Chemistry A, Spanish A

Sara Ali Biology A*, Chemistry A, Mathematics A*

Isra Al-Sheibani Biology, Chemistry, MathematicsHadia Arshad Biology, Chemistry, Music A

Thomas Atkinson Economics A, Geography A, Politics A*

Dylan Aujla Computer Science A*, Mathematics A*, Further Mathematics A, Physics A

Hamad Ayaz Business Studies, Economics, HistoryAyesha Ayub Classical Civilisation, Psychology, Religious Studies

BMuneeb Basit Biology, Chemistry, Religious StudiesEmily Baxter Computer Science A, Mathematics A*,

Further Mathematics A*, Physics A

Freya Bellamy Biology, Mathematics, Physical EducationSamuel Berry Chemistry A*, Mathematics A*, Further Mathematics A*, Physics A*

Bhavani Bhardwaj Biology A, Chemistry, Psychology A*

Oliver Burrows Computer Science, Economics A, Mathematics A*, Physics A

Dauood Butt Biology, Chemistry, Economics A

Karam Butt Biology A*, Chemistry A, Mathematics A

CSophie Caldwell Biology A, Chemistry, Religious Studies A*

Catherine Chapman Biology, Chemistry, PsychologySyndy Cheung Biology, Chemistry, MathematicsAlastair Christian Computer Science A, Mathematics A*,

Further Mathematics A, Physics A*

Benjamin Cierpiol Economics A, Mathematics A*, Politics A

Amy Claxton Biology, Chemistry, MathematicsSophie Clough Art A*, English Literature A, History A Emily Conn Biology A, Chemistry A, Spanish A

Alicia Cumberland Computer Science, Geography A, Mathematics

DSophia Daad Art A, Biology A, ChemistryEve Dawson Biology, Chemistry, Politics A*

FDanyal Fiaz Biology, Chemistry, Politics A

Jake Fitzpatrick History, Mathematics, PhysicsLaura Fitzpatrick Business Studies A, Politics A*, Religious Studies A

GAriana Galdins Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Mathematics A

Mahmoud Ghoneim Business Studies A, Design Technology A*, Mathematics

Emelye Gill Chemistry A, Mathematics A*, Physics A

Nikhil Gohri Business Studies, Politics A, Religious StudiesMatthew Gregson Mathematics A*, Further Mathematics A,

Physics A, Spanish

HElizabeth Hamer Computer Science A, History A, Mathematics A

Maia Hammond Business Studies, Design Technology , Mathematics

Gemma Harrison Classical Civilisation A, English Language A, Psychology

Samuel Harrison Business Studies A, Design Technology A, Politics A

James Harrop English Literature A, History A, SpanishJames Hartley German A*, Latin A*, Mathematics A*, Russian A*

Daniel Hawthorn English Literature, History A, Politics A

Joseph Hopper Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Mathematics A, Spanish A*

Lucinda Hopton German A, History A*, Latin A*

Mark Horsman Business Studies, Geography, PoliticsIdris Hussain Economics, Mathematics A*, Religious StudiesRahim Hussain Chemistry A, English Literature A, Mathematics A,

Physics

ISabeeh Irfan Biology A, Chemistry A, Mathematics A

JFabian Javed History, Mathematics, Politics A*

Declan Johnson Design Technology A*, Mathematics, Physics

K Aaisha Khan English Literature, History, Religious Studies A

Alaynah Khan Biology A, Chemistry A, German A

Lisan Khan Mathematics A, Politics, Religious StudiesMyrah Khan Business Studies A*, English Literature, Spanish A*

Neesha Khan Biology, Chemistry, MathematicsOmar Khan Biology, Chemistry, English Literature Zain Khan Biology A, Chemistry A*, Mathematics A*, Physics A

Syrah Kishver English Language A, English Literature A, Religious Studies A*

Astrid Classical Civilisation A*, English Literature A*, Knox-McConnell History A

Jaya Krishna Biology A*, Chemistry A*, French A, Physics A*

Matthew Kuncheria Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics

LElliot Lack Biology, Mathematics, PhysicsSamuel Laljee Computer Science A, Mathematics A*, Further Mathematics A*, PhysicsGrace Lancaster Biology A, Chemistry, MathematicsMatthew Lansbury Biology A, Chemistry A, Mathematics

MSacha Macy Mathematics A*, Physics, Politics A

Raja Madni Chemistry A, Computer Science, Mathematics A, Physics A

Adam Mahmood Biology A, Chemistry A, Mathematics A

Amir Mahmood Biology A, Chemistry A, Economics A

Anika Malik Biology, Chemistry, FrenchJamal Malik Economics, English Language, PoliticsOliver Marshall Biology, Economics, PoliticsAmber McAllister Biology A, Chemistry, Psychology A

Henry Miller Economics A*, History A*, Politics A*

Armani Mir Biology A, Chemistry A, English Literature A

Fizzah Mirzah Chemistry A*, English Literature A*, Mathematics A*, Physics A*

Isobel Moorhouse Art A*, History A, Politics A

Ella Moran Biology, History, Psychology A

Muhammad Musa Biology, Chemistry, Politics A*

NAngus Newton Economics A, Geography A, MathematicsSalya Noor Biology, Chemistry, Psychology A

OOliver Ogden Business Studies A, Mathematics A, Physics A

Usman Omar Biology A, Chemistry, French A*, MathematicsSantos French A*, Mathematics A, Spanish A Orenga de Gaffory

PGeorgia Pope English Literature A*, History A, Psychology A*

Harry Pope Art A*, Biology A, Politics A*

Joshua Poulsen Economics A*, Mathematics A, Politics A*

RNancy Rae Business Studies A*, English Literature A, Psychology A*

Sama Rafaquat Biology, Chemistry A, Spanish A

Georgia Rayner Business Studies, Politics A, Religious Studies A

Stella Richards English Language A, Geography A, Politics A

Alishba Rizvi Biology A*, Chemistry A, Religious Studies A*

Hazel Robinson English Language A, French, Psychology A

Lily Robinson French, History, Politics A*

SMelody Seifzadeh Biology, Chemistry, FrenchAmaan Shaffi Biology, Chemistry, Politics A*

Jiaqi Shao Computer Science A*, Mathematics A*, Further Mathematics A*, Physics A*

Noor Sharif Art A*, English Literature A, History A

Alexander Sharp Biology A, Chemistry, Computer Science A

Sammer Sheikh Biology A, Chemistry, MathematicsLucy Sherwood Business Studies, Geography, Politics A

Henry Smith Economics A, Mathematics, Politics A*

William Smith Chemistry A, Design Technology A*, Geography A*, PhysicsTom Stenhouse Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics A

Millie Stephenson Biology, Chemistry, English Literature A

Tom Stephenson Economics, Mathematics, Physical Education A

Poppy Stiles Chemistry, MathematicsHaris Sultan Biology A, Chemistry A*, Physics A

Oliver Sunderland Biology, Business Studies, Economics A

THenry Taggart Geography A*, History A*, Physics A*

Blaine Thomas English Literature A*, History A*, Politics A*

William Tullie Business Studies, Design Technology, Physics

WUzair Waheed Biology, Chemistry, PhysicsDaniel Watterston Economics A*, Mathematics A*, Physics A

Eve Wellings Economics A, Mathematics, SpanishTom Wilson Mathematics A, Physics A, Politics A*

YZainab Yasin Biology A*, Chemistry A, French A

ZAbdullah Zaman Chemistry A, Computer Science A, Mathematics Hamza Zamir Business Studies A, Mathematics A*, Physics

We have taken every effort to ensure this information is accurate. Should you come across any inaccuracies, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will endeavour to rectify this on the online version.


School NotesExamination Results 2020



Arts and Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Communities, Societies and Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Trips and Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Sporting Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Junior School

DiscoveryBy Zahra R – Ilkley Literature Festival Winner, Years 3 and 4

Deep in the darkest depths of the sea,

We find a whale with a humongous tail.

Inside the tombs of the ancient kinds,

We find paintings of lots of things.

Safely hidden beneath the ground,

We find diamonds all around.

Collecting shells along the beach,

We find a fossil the size of a peach.

Out of the angry, blustery, stormy skies,

We find lightning striking to our great surprise.

Voyaging through the vast open sea,

We find a fire blazing higher and higher.

Reaching out beyond the skies,

We find moons and stars and planets like Mars.

Yucky plants sticking to our feet,

We find healing medicines in things we eat.

Dreaming of how I can make a differenceBy Samara K – Ilkley Literature Festival Runner up, Year 5 and 6

Ideas zooming through my mind like a rocket

Shooting for the stars

Creating a new destination

Over the moon to be on this journey

Victory is in sight

Exploring the unknown

Rocketing to the finish line

Yesterday has gone, the future has begun.

Ilkley Literature Festival– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Maddie D and Jacob H, Year 6

The Ilkley Literature Festival is held annually, usually in the autumn months. Participants aged from three to 12 years compete as part of a fun poetry contest. Clock House pupils entered, and three successful children were named in the prize list. Sebastian R was the runner up in the Year 1 and 2 event and Zahra R was the winner in Years 3 and 4. Finally, the runner up of the Year 5 and 6 event was Samara K. Considering the volume of pupils applying, this is an impressive achievement.

A musical coincidence– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Emma C and Liberty P, Year 6

Picture the scene: a Clock House teacher and pupil meet in a European airport under the most unlikely of circumstances. As Mr Smith (Year 3 teacher) arrived at a Norwegian airport, after a fantastic holiday, the last thing he expected was to bump into a Clock House pupil. Lexi O was playing the piano when she was overheard by Mr Smith in the airport lounge. She played six songs including; ‘Friend Like Me’ by Will Smith, ‘Speechless’ by Naomi Scott and ‘All of Me’ by John Legend.

Lexi began her musical journey through having keyboard lessons, when she was 10 (one year ago). However, she had always wanted to play the piano and finally started lessons in Year 6. Lexi learnt the keyboard in an unusual way. She used YouTube to train herself and can now play many songs, proving that this method works. Lexi has since commenced lessons at school (which are taught by Mr Sherlock) to improve her knowledge of the piano.

Lexi said, ‘I just saw the piano and wanted to play.’ As her flight was delayed, she was able to use the piano in the airport. Lexi said that she was a bit scared at first, but she then gained confidence. Mr Smith, who also heard Lexi, was really impressed by what he heard and thought that her playing was amazing! She was slightly more confident, as not everyone was standing and watching because they were in queues, but they did listen and most of them seemed impressed.

“We hope you enjoy reading our prize-winning poetry ...



Pupils take part in giant land art project– AUTUMN TERM 2019

An innovative land artist had some willing helpers from the Junior School to create a piece of art running from Bradford’s Lister Park to the BGS Governors’ lawn to mark the UCI World Championships. The artist Andrew Wood said: ‘The artwork depicts a member of local successful women’s cycling club Queensbury Queens of the Mountain, who follow the UCI World Championship colours into Lister Park and enter the broad-ford, mixing the colours as they fly through the air,’ he said.

Felicity Robertshaw-Hughes, Deputy Head (Pastoral) at Bradford Grammar Junior School, said: ‘The children thoroughly enjoyed helping Andrew create his artwork and were very excited to see the finished product. It’s been fantastic for them to help celebrate a major sporting event in this way.’

Young Voices 2020– SPRING TERM 2020

By Thomas H and Bilaal A, Year 6

On Monday 13 January, the annual Young Voices concert was held. School choirs from all around the North of England travelled to Sheffield Arena to form one enormous choir of singers. The attendance figure was an astonishing 5,131. The singers were visited by different singers such as Ruti (the winner of ‘The Voice’ 2018), Tony Hadley (who was the lead singer of a band called ‘Spandau Ballet’ in the 80s) and ‘The Shires’ who are a country duet.

A live band also played to accompany the singing.

Keen Young Voices attendee Hari enjoyed his first ever time. Here are a few points he told us about his experience. ‘I enjoyed singing my heart out and dancing for joy with all of my friends. I would really love to go again. One of my many favourite parts was dancing with the Urban Strides. My favourite visitor was definitely Ruti.’

We look forward to making this trip an annual event for Clock House pupils.

Brownlee mural competition– SUMMER TERM 2020

By Ellie S, Year 4

As part of the Paint Al’s Wall Competition, the Brownlee Foundation asked KS2 primary school children to create a mural. This is for Alistair Brownlee (who is also an Old Bradfordian) to paint on his garage wall so that when he is swimming in his mini swimming pool in his garage, he will feel more energised. I decided to make a piece of artwork that used paper stuck together to make different shapes.

To make my artwork, I started by finding lots of different shades of green paper. I had to make sure that the hills overlapped so it looked like one hill was further away than the other. Next, I found different shades of yellow and orange paper and one shade of red. These were for the sun and the sunset. I slid the sun under the two hills, so it looked like it was setting behind the hills. Finally, I added some sheep by drawing with a marker pen on some white paper then cutting them out in different sizes so that it looked like some sheep were further away than others.

I chose a sunset because it makes me feel calm and happy, and I hope it will make Alistair feel the same way too.

READ MORE ...www.thebrownleefoundation.org/paint-als-wall

Let the live music continue …– SUMMER TERM 2020

Music enthusiast and violist Joseph (Year 5) recently took part in an online musical extravaganza in the form of virtual Benedetti Zoom sessions, along with around 200 other participants. The Benedetti Foundation is an independent charity whose aim is to unite those who believe that music is integral to a great education. Their activity is funded through the generous donations of individuals, corporate sponsorship, trusts and foundations. They provide life changing experiences by staging mass musical events that transform the meaning of music making for all participants. Since the country went into lockdown, the Foundation has been hosting on-line tutorials and virtual sessions which Joseph has enjoyed.

Joseph and his family have also been entertaining their neighbours with live music. Their uplifting performances have significantly boosted morale and have helped people to stay positive during the tricky lockdown period.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BENEDETTI FOUNDATION ...benedettifoundation.org

WATCH JOSEPH’S FINAL PERFORMANCE ...https://bit.ly/benedetti-joseph

https://www.thebrownleefoundation.org/paint-als-wall/

https://www.thebrownleefoundation.org/paint-als-wall/

https://www.benedettifoundation.org/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI3jm4z4AZs&feature=youtu.be&list=PLpKffHOzsdGajn10zsMHCTTltqkkRdOse



Creating ‘Rainbows of Hope’– SUMMER TERM 2020

By S Morley, Junior School Art Teacher

Many of our Clock House children have been following the national trend to create a ‘Rainbow of Hope’. Seeing these beautiful rainbows in windows sends a message of positivity to everyone and makes people smile. Here are some examples of the great artwork sent in during the school closure, including paintings, collages, 3D and computer designs. The paperchain rainbow on display in the Clock House reception was made by our keyworker children in school.

House Music– SUMMER TERM 2020

By L Alderson, Junior School Music Teacher

What a fantastic day of music-making Clock House enjoyed at the annual House Music Competition, which took place on Thursday 19 March. It was a slightly different format from usual because we had no adjudicator or parents attending due to the increased concerns surrounding COVID-19. However, despite this, we all had a wonderful day, with Clock House pupils showing outstanding spirit and determination, performing music to their friends. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed watching each other perform and it was great to see the children supporting each other! A large number of pupils entered the competition and performed music on a wide variety of musical instruments, including the clarinet, trumpet and cello, to name a few. Each pupil received house points for entering and the winning house this year was Founders.

Shakespeare portrait proves a national winner– SUMMER TERM 2020

Back in March, Katy Hinchliffe won the Individual Entry Age 8 to 11 category in the Children’s Shakespeare Portrait Competition and was awarded a prize of a family weekend away to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford. Her work will also be exhibited at the Lowry alongside other winners of the competition.Katy said: ‘I wanted to take part in the competition because I love art, it’s one of my favourite subjects. I used chalk pastels and I just let my imagination run. I wanted to do a funky portrait because I wanted it to stand out, so I gave him blue hair. I was really excited when I heard I’d won.’

Sally Morley, Katy’s art teacher encouraged all pupils to create their own portraits at home for the exciting competition.

She said: ‘A lot of the children produced beautiful drawings and paintings and Katy used a different art medium which really made her portrait stand out. Each of the

children came up with their own, distinct interpretations, which was great to see.’

Thousands of schoolchildren took part in the competition, run by the independent charity, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, which was held as part of Shakespeare Week. More than 2,500 children from primary schools across the country entered the competition.

READ MORE ...http://bit.ly/shakespeare-comp-win


https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/katys-shakespeare-portrait-proves-a-national-winner/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/katys-shakespeare-portrait-proves-a-national-winner/

VE Day challenge– SUMMER TERM 2020

Year 6 were challenged to make gas masks and design their own evacuee suitcases as part of their WWII topic. This tied in wonderfully with VE Day celebrations.


Star of the slopes!– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Millie M and Will M, Year 6

At Clock House, we love to celebrate each other’s achievements, both inside and outside of school. Bree is a relatively new snowboarder, having taken up the winter sport around eighteen months ago. She chatted with our junior journalists about her new and exciting hobby.

How long have you been snowboarding for?I have been snowboarding for one year and five months.

Where do you snowboard?I snowboard at Castleford Snow Zone.

What is your most advanced move or trick?The Rail – where you slide up onto an elevated rail.

What is your goal for this sport? My goal is to get on to the snowboarding team for the Winter Olympics one day.

Have you ever injured yourself badly doing the sport? I have never injured myself badly in the sport and hopefully I never will.

Who introduced you to snowboarding? My dad introduced me to snowboarding and encouraged me to give it a go. He took me to Snow Zone.

Do any members of your family snowboard? My dad and brother also snowboard.

Have you ever been snowboarding on a real slope, if so where? I have been snowboarding in Austria in the winter season and the snow felt much softer.

Do you have a snowboard and what colour is it? I have a white, pink and red snowboard.

As you may have discovered, this winter sport opens opportunities for the future. If you have ever contemplated travelling to colder climates, such as New Zealand or Canada, becoming a snowboarding expert whilst you are young could offer you exciting prospects.

The lessons are brilliant so far. I give them ten out of ten.

It’s how they’re taught that makes them good.

It’s still academic but they teach in an exciting way rather

than just telling you to write things down.

“

Kenyan Choir: So happy wherever they are– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Ashaline K, Roop H and Khadijah N, Year 6

On Friday 4 October, a very special surprise was waiting for the Clock House children. All the way from Mombasa, Kenya, a joyful group of talented young singers had arrived on our very doorstep.

At break time, the Clock House children played fun games and activities with the Kenyan choir which made them engage with each other and appreciate their different lifestyles. After break time, the magical ensemble performed, with their beautiful voices, to Clock House pupils and staff. The teachers were somewhat emotional afterwards and felt so privileged to have witnessed such joyful singing.

Unsurprisingly, everyone enjoyed being part of the audience and therefore asked the Kenyan singers to stay and teach 6A some of their rhythmic moves. After lunch, the Kenyan choir had to depart, and everyone was so sad that each class made them a farewell card. These cards had lovely messages and inspiring words written inside them thanking the children for such an unforgettable and magnificent performance.

Communities, Societiesand Activities

Day in the Life of ... Year 4 student, George reflects on his first day at Clock House– AUTUMN TERM 2019

‘I was a bit nervous – but then that’s understandable. My parents brought me to school and, with me being new, the school paired me up with buddies. It’s their job to make sure I’m ok. They’ve picked some really good children to do this job. They’re really friendly. ‘Straightaway I wanted to know where the library was. I love libraries and I was very impressed when I saw the one here. It’s amazing and you can just sit on a beanbag and read to your heart’s content. As well as reading, I also love singing, acting and dancing and they have so many clubs to choose from. I’ve also heard the trips are awesome and I can’t wait to try those.

‘The lessons are brilliant so far. I give them ten out of ten. It’s how they’re taught that makes them good. It’s still academic but they teach in an exciting way rather than just telling you to write things down. The teachers are very nice.

‘The food is great too. On my first day I had sausage and mash, with sweetcorn, and I sat with my ‘buddy’. Then I signed up for the craft club and drama club.

‘There wasn’t one single thing which was bad about my first day. You don’t want to be at school if you don’t have a good time and I know I’m going to love this school. There are no cons about it. I mean, it literally looks like Hogwarts. It’s just a great place.’


A new chapter– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Ashalina K, Khadijah N and Roop H, Year 6

Clock House prides itself upon its welcoming nature, with pupils and staff helping new children to settle into new routines with ease.This year, we interviewed Aiza G to find out about her experience in her first term at Clock House.

Did the transition make you feel nervous?Yes, because it is a brand-new experience and a level up from what I am used to.

How did you feel when nobody knew you?At first, I felt like I was the odd one out because I was the only new girl that had arrived this year.

Day in the Life of … Year 6 student, Roop– AUTUMN TERM 2019

‘My parents drop me off at school at the drop off point at 8.15am and I go into the playground to play. I know there’s always going to be someone there who will play with me and want to play a game that I will like as much as they will like. Mrs Merckx, who’s in charge of the playground, then blows a whistle and we go through the gate.‘I go straight to the classroom and say good morning and unpack my bag so I’ve got everything ready. Sometimes we have assembly and it will be on different things, so one can be to talk about events which are happening, another will be about celebrations where they pick people from each class and talk about what they’ve achieved.

‘The lessons are really good and they’re 40 minutes long. I’ve been coming to Clock House since I was in Year 2 and I can remember one of the things I was concerned about was not being able to find my classroom. But I remember everyone was really welcoming and they helped me if I got lost.

‘We don’t learn in a “get your book out and write all this down” kind of way; we learn through activities that are really fun. We enjoy it so we learn it properly. My favourite lesson is English and I love reading books like the The Trials of Apollo with Percy Jackson.

‘The times for lunch vary for each year group. We eat in the dinner hall in Senior School and Year 6 go across at 12.10pm. The food is really good. I like how they have vegetarian options for people or sandwiches if you don’t want a hot meal. There are different sized tables in the dining hall – some are for four, some are for six etc. When you’re all in a line you always find someone to sit next to. It’s really friendly. It’s hard not to make friends when you’re at school! We eat for about half an hour then we go out or to a club.

‘Most of the clubs are from 12.30 or 12.45 but if you want to go at 12 the school will make you a packed lunch and you can choose what you have in it. I go to orchestra, flute group, netball and drama club and then journalism after school.

‘The day ends at 3.20pm. Some people have after care, but I go straight home. My favourite bit about school is playing with my friends. I would definitely recommend Clock House to others!’“I know there’s always going

to be someone there who will play with me and want to play a game that I will like as much

as they will like.

Mega Mathletes’ Victory– SPRING TERM 2020

By Jacob H, Year 6

The annual maths competition was held at the Explore Learning Centre in Greengates on 15 January 2020.Mrs Tatham took four school pupils: Navjot S, Finlay J, Emma C and Lucy M. The great news was that they were victorious in their heat out of an outstanding twenty-seven schools! Unfortunately, they didn’t get through to the grand final at the Natural History Museum but came very close. Mrs Tatham was very proud of them. One of our mathletes, Lucy M, said: ‘There were two challenges which were very difficult, but we still enjoyed it.’

What was your first impression of this school?My first impression was that it was huge because my old school was very small. I was also intrigued about all the facilities available including the swimming pool and the junior library.

Are you used to changing schools?No, because I had stayed in the same school for over seven years.

Did you enjoy the new pupils’ day?Yes, because everybody was so warm and welcoming. That made me feel happy inside to know that everybody was so nice and friendly.


Finding our ‘Brave’– SPRING TERM 2020

By Aiza G, Year 6

During the week beginning 3 February, Clock House pupils participated in many activities linked to mental health and the importance of speaking up about our feelings. The theme was ‘Find Your Brave’. On Thursday 6 February, pupils were asked to wear an item of their school uniform inside out; some pupils wore their blazers inside out and some wore their trousers or skirts inside out. This was to symbolise that everyone might look just fine on the outside, but we never know what battle they might be facing on the inside.

On Friday 7 February, it was NSPCC Number Day. Children were asked to wear an item of clothing featuring a number. Since it was launched 20 years ago, over 3,500 schools have got involved with Number Day and raised nearly £2 million. This money has been used to protect children from harm.

A lasting memory from this amazing and inspiring week was our ‘Billboard of Bravery’ which celebrated moments when Bradfordians have ‘found their brave’. There were messages from people across the whole school community including children, teachers, parents and non-teaching staff.

Mrs Robertshaw-Hughes, Deputy Head Pastoral, led this event. I interviewed her to find out her thoughts ...

Why is it important?Mental health problems affect lots of people, including people we know. It is important we talk about mental health, so that people understand the problems faced by others and nobody is treated any differently.

How will awareness help young people?Mental Health Week will help children with mental health to get the support they need; it will help them to ask for support and talk about their problems, so that they feel safe.

What has inspired you to support ‘Mental Health Week?’My job in Clock House is to make sure every child is happy and safe in our school and make sure they get the support that they need when they need it.

From my lockdown diary ...– SUMMER TERM 2020

By Olivia G, Year 6

Sunday 12 April 2020

Dear Diary, the last few weeks have been crazy. COVID-19 has made our school close, so we have been doing all of our work at home. At first, I felt worried but now I have got the hang of all of it. I have been keeping in touch with friends whilst we have been in lockdown and learnt that it is so much better to see friends in real life. Everyone in Year 6 was wishing for school to close, so we could stay in bed longer, but now everyone is wanting to see friends again, go on the Year 6 residential, go back to normal life, do the end of year party and wear the end of year hoodies.

We now all realise that it was so much better at school, even with difficult lessons some days. I am grateful that Coronavirus is not affecting my family and I pray that it stays that way. We got locked down on the North Yorkshire coast. We were only coming here for the weekend but decided to stay until Monday because of school being closed and my parents’ offices closing for people to work from home. The Prime Minister then told us all to stay home, save the NHS and save lives so we stayed at our little cottage by the North Sea. I feel lucky, as every day we see beautiful blue skies, pretty flowers, the glistening sea, and the loudly quacking ducks.

I have read one and a half books and am doing so many good things that I wouldn’t normally. I have been exercising, cooking, baking, and I have even hoovered and ironed!

I miss my nana and grandad the most, but I love to see their faces on FaceTime most days. On a Saturday, we dress up a bit and have a little FaceTime party and my auntie and uncle join in too.

Today we went for a walk to Whitby. I used to complain at the thought of this walk but now I love it. I see the sea every day and I am ashamed to say, I feel guilty for saying, ‘I’m just used to it now’, but my mum keeps saying how lucky we are. We talked and walked and laughed! We ended up finding a little hut that sells hot chocolate and muffins. What a treat!

Making Ramadan memorable– SUMMER TERM 2020

By S Morley, Junior School Art Teacher

Hasan and his family made sure that Ramadan was still a memorable occasion during lockdown. They kept busy doing lots of arts and crafts at home, to bring fun and excitement during this important time. This included decorating their house with bunting and paper baubles and making an advent calendar for Ramadan. This beautiful calendar included different envelopes with good deeds written in them for each day.

It was such a lovely idea that an article about Hasan and his calendar appeared in the ‘Asian Express’ newspaper!


Junior SchoolCommunities, Societies and Activities

Sporting enthusiasts from a distance– SUMMER TERM 2020

Staying active and healthy are especially important during this period for our pupils. Many pupils and families have been addressing this need by going for family walks, runs and bike rides. To add extra motivation, and with help from the PE department, Mrs Jones has been providing daily PE challenges for the pupils to engage in.

It has been lovely to see so many of our pupils engaging with these challenges in such a positive way and sending in photographs and videos of their work.

The following two children from Year 5 have particularly embraced these challenges:

Lizzie P

Which school sports do you enjoy doing when in school?Hockey, cricket, swimming, netball (all of them really!)

What do you enjoy the most about school sport?Running around and having fun with my friends. I like learning and developing new skills.

What have you missed about school sport whilst in lockdown?Playing the fixtures and laughing with the teachers.

Have you enjoyed the daily challenges Mrs Jones has been setting?Yes; they were fun and they help to keep me fit.

Which ones have you enjoyed the most?The obstacle course challenge because it was fun and I got to race (and beat) my brother.

How have the daily challenges motivated you to stay active?It has given me a good reason to go outside and run around, rather than being on the computer all day.

Harry D

Which school sports do you enjoy doing when in school?Hockey, rugby and badminton.

What do you enjoy the most about school sport? It gives me time off from classes and I like to play all kinds of sports.

What have you missed about school sport whilst in lockdown? Being able to play sports with my school friends.

Have you enjoyed the daily challenges Mrs Jones has been setting? Yes, I’ve enjoyed doing something outside and away from my computer.

Which ones have you enjoyed the most/found the most challenging? The endurance challenge was challenging because it made me very tired, and I enjoyed the ball skills using the basketball the most.

How have the daily challenges motivated you to stay active? They allowed me to try things that I haven’t tried before.

Creativity and ingenuity ...– SUMMER TERM 2020

Talented Clock House pupil Yahya Murad Hussain has crafted a unique mosque in his own playroom.Clock House pupil Yahya Murad Hussain used his ingenuity to turn his playroom into a mosque using recycled cardboard packaging from his parents’ new desk.

He came up with the idea himself following the closure of the mosques in his home city of Bradford due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It took him about a week to design and build his unusual DIY project and his parents helped with the structure and some of the more intricate Islamic geometric designs.

Yahya used sweet wrappers and paint to complete his mosque before adding fairy lights, a diffuser with different scents and a light box, to which he adds an inspirational word or two every day – from ‘Be Happy’ to ‘Smile’.

Yahya said: ‘I decided that, because all the mosques were closed, I might as well make my own. I wanted it to be a special area and a peaceful place in the house. It is magical and it makes me feel happy when I go in there.’

Yahya’s mum, Auzma Yousaf, said: ‘We’re so proud of him for showing the patience and determination to get it finished. He uses it every day, not just to pray, but also to read and reflect. We spend time in there together as a family to pray and reflect.

‘It’s not been easy for him not seeing his friends or cousins, so this project has given him a positive purpose in this lockdown period. It’s important to make the best of the situation that we’re in.

‘Sometimes children can be the greatest teachers, showing strength and resilience by finding something positive to focus on in times of crisis.’

Richard Ribeiro, Junior School Headmaster, said: ‘We’re really proud of Yahya for taking on such a challenge and showing real ingenuity in creating a happy, inspiring and safe place to be in his home. Well done Yahya!’

TAKE A TOUR OF YAHYA’S MOSQUE … https://youtu.be/fTwp-SkJctU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTwp-SkJctU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTwp-SkJctU&feature=youtu.be

Year 4 Residential– AUTUMN TERM 2019

In October 2019, Year 4 visited Robinwood Activity Centre and learnt all about the value of team work. Their amazing instructors Fran, Jack and Rachel were exceptional, and students and staff returned full of happy memories and new friendships. Thank you to everyone involved.

Trips and Events

Open Day– AUTUMN TERM 2019

By Thomas H and Bilal A, Year 6

On Saturday 5 October, Open Day was held from 10am to 2pm. Parents and families from other schools visited as they were interested in sending their children to this school.Current pupils acted as tour guides to show the visitors different areas of the school. Existing parents were on hand to support with refreshments and offer an insight into school life as we know it. There were also a few talented musicians who performed live to show off their talents. A highlight for the visitors was going to the outdoor classroom and making smores which are melted marshmallows, sandwiched between biscuits.

All of the classrooms featured different activities for the visitors to enjoy. The design and technology classroom appealed to the practical and creative pupils who were able to construct things out of Lego.

Thank you to all of our fantastic volunteers who helped make this day a huge success.

“A highlight for the visitors was going to the outdoor classroom and making

smores which are melted marshmallows, sandwiched between biscuits.


People who changed our world – Florence Nightingale– SUMMER TERM 2020

By H Smith, Junior School Teacher

Before COVID-19, the world has witnessed many other events that have changed the way people live. As part of their topic, ‘People who changed our world’, on 11 March, Year 2 pupils travelled back in time to meet Miss Florence Nightingale, as she prepared to travel to Scutari to help the soldiers wounded while fighting in the Crimean War. Miss Smith reflects upon the trip: ‘Miss Nightingale greeted us at Lotherton Hall near Leeds, the home of her cousins, the Gascoignes. After politely welcoming us, Miss Nightingale set them to work. Firstly, we attended the Nurses’ Teddy Bear Training Hospital. There we learnt the basic skills a Nightingale Nurse needs to know, and under the watchful eye of the head nurse, we honed our bandaging skills. Following that, we helped the lady

A Royal Visit– SPRING TERM 2020

By Emma C and Khadijah N, Year 6

On Wednesday 15 January, unbeknown to surprised Clock House staff and pupils, we were graced with the presence of members of the Royal Family.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed on the rugby pitch in a helicopter, then swiftly departed to the centre of Bradford. One of the special places they visited was ‘MyLahore’ where they made mango kulfi smoothies. They also visited both the town hall and the Khidmat Centre, which focuses on providing services for the most vulnerable members of the Bradford community from minority ethnic backgrounds. Surrounded by their security, it was difficult to speak to the visitors, but their smiles and waves will stay with many of us for ever.

A Clock House pupil said: ‘I’ve never seen a member of the Royal Family before and it felt very special. I rushed out of my lesson when I heard the helicopter approaching and waited on the slope until the helicopter landed. When they got out of the helicopter, we could only see them for several minutes until they drove off to City Hall in Bradford.’

Miss Marsden said: ‘We were mesmerised and stunned by this unexpected visit. I’m not sure who was more excited – me or my class!’

Medical Mavericks– SPRING TERM 2020

By Maddie D and Liberty P, Year 6

On Thursday 16 January, the Year 6 pupils were honoured to be visited by a specialist ‘Medical Mavericks’ duo named Toby and Amar. They came to talk to staff and pupils about the prospect of a medical career and the associated opportunities.At the Medical Mavericks workshops, they opened the doors to the medical world, just enough to wet pupils’ appetites and drive their ambitions enough to inspire them to find out more. The key message from the day was the belief that every individual has the ability to achieve their dreams.

Pupils discovered that high grades are not essential for every single medical vocation. They explained that there are in fact only some jobs that require exceptionally high grades. One of these is becoming a GP. This surprised many pupils.

Pupils had the chance to use different specialist hospital equipment including syringes for taking blood from an artificial arm, an ultrasound machine for taking a picture of the inside of the body and a keyhole surgery machine.

herself pack her trunk ready for the thirteen-day journey. Even then, PPE was essential with an apron, sleeve covers, soap and a nail brush all being carefully stowed.

‘After waving Florence a fond good luck and goodbye, we were transported back to the present day; we visited Wildlife World, where an escapologist penguin was the centre of attention. Who would have thought that a few months later, we all would be reading how Florence is still making her mark today with the ‘pop-up’ hospitals around the country being named after her? She really did change our world.‘

“... we learnt the basic skills a Nightingale Nurse needs to know, and under the watchful eye of the

head nurse, we honed our bandaging skills.

Junior SchoolTrips and Events


HMC Swimming Success– SPRING TERM 2020

By Will M, Year 6

On Friday 25 January, the Junior School Swimming Team travelled to the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds to take part in the HMC North-East Swimming Championships.It was a long day for the swimming team because there were 32 events across the day, with individual races in the morning and relays in the afternoon.

Pupils waited patiently to swim their races and observed other swimmers with care in order to work on their areas of strength and development.

After a quick lunch break, the races resumed and the swimmers raced until 3pm when the events were complete. Our swimming team coaches could not have been prouder of all our resilient competitors. Our motto ‘Hoc Age’ showed its true colours on the day.

Sporting Successes– SPRING TERM 2020

By G Jones, Head of Junior School PE and Games

The Junior School pupils have had a very busy sporting calendar so far this year, competing in a wide range of activities against other schools.Pupils have taken part in several competitions in a festival format, the majority of which have been hosted at BGS in our new facilities. Year 3 have taken part in an invasion games festival, Years 4, 5 and 6 boys in rugby and hockey festivals and Years 4, 5 and 6 girls in hockey and netball festivals. The aim of the festivals is to give children as much playing experience as possible with the emphasis upon development rather than outcome. This has offered pupils an opportunity to experience and try out the new skills which they have developed in PE and Games lessons in a series of short games against teams from local independent schools and local authority schools in our area.

In addition to the festivals, pupils have also represented school and competed well in our more traditional fixtures programme; playing rugby, hockey, netball and swimming against schools in the West & North Yorkshire area including Ashville, GSAL, Bronte House, QEGS, Wakefield Girls, St Olaves and Gateways.

District, County and HMC competitions have been attended in cross country, gymnastics, swimming, table tennis, U11 rugby and U11 girls’ hockey as well as the U11 rugby team competing in the prestigious Harrison Cup tournament.

There are many more festivals and HMC competitions in gymnastics, netball, boys’ hockey and rugby 7s to attend this term. It is fair to say that the Junior School pupils are very busy and are thoroughly enjoying their sporting opportunities, representing BGS with enthusiasm and pride!

“Our motto ‘Hoc Age’ showed its true

colours on the day.


Table Tennis Champions– SPRING TERM 2020

By Ashalina K and Roop H, Year 6

On Thursday 16 January, four talented pupils from Clock House set out on a mission to become the West Yorkshire table tennis champions. The pupils involved included Liberty P, Khadijah N, Olivia G and Robyn L. The tournament took place in the Sports Hall at BGS. Three different schools participated in this event. Every person played five games, each to the best of three. Mr Crabtree coached the tournament and was complimentary about all pupils taking part. The outcome of the event was Liberty finishing second, Khadijah coming fourth, Olivia coming fifth and Robyn coming sixth. Unfortunately, they couldn’t go to the Yorkshire Championships because of the absence of one player.

Overall, the tournament was a success and a fun experience for everyone who attended. This event has set the bar high for next year.

Key results for this season• U11 girls were West Yorkshire Champions

• U11 girls defeated Eldwick Primary 7-1

• U11 boys were West Yorkshire Champions

• U11 boys defeated Ackworth, Lady Lane and Eldwick Primary

• U11 boys were fifth in the zone finals against the county winners

• Second in West Yorkshire, U11 individual girls, Liberty P

• Semi-finalists were Hari S and Aarez A

Netball Success– SUMMER TERM 2020

By Lucy, Bets y and Jess B, Year 6

It was a long journey to get to Hymers (in Hull) and upon arrival, we were split into our A and B teams. There were 24 teams, all HMC schools from the North of the country. The ‘waterfall’ tournament meant that initially all the teams were randomly placed in a group of six to play in a league format with the top two teams then going into the Tier 1 competition, the next two into Tier 2 and the fifth and sixth placed Tier 3.

For our first match, we beat Ackworth A, giving us a big confidence boost to win the next game against Bronte House B. The third match was a draw against Hymers A.

Following another win against RGS Newcastle, we lost against Ashville A team. The B team played against some tough A teams from Hull, Bronte House and Bow School as well as the B team from GSAL. They played well and learned a lot.

We then had to wait to find out which Tier of the competition the A team would go into based on goal difference. Having been put into the Tier 2 competition, we were then in a knock-out situation. We went on to win all our matches, beating St Olaves in the final; we then received the Bowl trophy!

Ashville won the cup, having had their closest game of the day against us.

Mrs Jones was extremely proud of both teams – the B team also went on to have success in the second half of the day and everyone represented Clock House with great spirit.

Junior SchoolSporting Achievements

Senior School and Sixth Form


Singing Children of Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54‘Little Shop of Horrors’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Music concerts and performances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56New Music Department personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56A song for the NHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Acting the part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Music student celebrates diploma achievement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Music roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Talent snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60


Singing Children of Africa– AUTUMN TERM 2019

BGS student Jaya Krishna led a fantastic assembly with the Singing Children of Africa, as part of the charity’s 2019 UK Tour. She helped to raise funds for their education and other young people in Africa. The Singing Children of Africa are a choir from Jolaurabi school in Kenya. The school is fully funded by the charity ‘Educate the Kids’, and every year the choir travels to the UK and performs around the country to raise money. It is a non-profit charity and funds go to the children for their uniforms, books and pens, breakfast, lunch and exam fees.

Sponsoring a child allows them to start school and pays for their breakfast and lunch every day. Every year a huge number of children from the village come for intake, and although a large number get sponsored and are able to join, there are still a lot of children who are unfortunately turned away.

BGS was lucky enough to be able to see them sing, dance and meet BGS pupils of all ages throughout the school.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT educatethekids.com

and sung by Tom Howson, it was great fun to watch the plant come to life and take over the auditorium!

Congratulations must also go to Elizabeth White and the band who gave us a musical treat and a special mention to the close harmony trio – Condoleezza Faboro Davidson, Jasmine Madeley and Alicia Pollard who really showcased their singing talent.

Huge credit goes to Pete Dutton, Zaheer Anwar and all the backstage crew who worked tirelessly to create a truly magical set through stunning lighting, detailed props and special effects.

Ultimately, it was a real team effort and made us all proud to be part of BGS.

‘Little Shop of Horrors’– SPRING TERM 2020

Our fantastic musical production ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ ran over four thrilling performances in early February ...Over fifty students from Year 7 through to the Sixth Form were involved in the production, as performers, musicians or technicians. Preparations began in early October and the hard work and dedication of all those involved really paid off.

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken first opened as a Broadway musical in 1982 and enjoyed critical acclaim. Set in downtown New York in the early 1960s, it follows Seymour, a meek and dejected shop assistant, who works in a failing florists. He has a crush on his fellow shop worker, Audrey, but she is going out with a sadistic dentist. Meanwhile, he has bought a strange plant, which he hopes might be the answer to all his problems.

Freddie Butterfield played the lead role, Seymour, and brought an impressive level of talent and professionalism to every performance. Evie Clarke played Audrey and managed to convey sweetness and vulnerability (not least, through her crystal-clear soprano voice), as well as comedic qualities, which made her a joy to watch. Mushnik, the shop owner, played by Will Craske, had audiences in stitches with his unique blend of dad dancing and self-serving transparency. Audience members were quite rightly disturbed by Millen Olak’s interpretation of the nasty dentist but it was the ‘strange and interesting plant’ that stole the show: expertly operated by Seb Handley and voiced

“... it was a real team effort and made us all proud to be

part of BGS.


https://www.educatethekids.com/

https://www.educatethekids.com/

Music concerts and performances– SPRING TERM 2020

This term saw a magnificent musical performance in the Hockney Theatre of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, with wonderful singing, and student-playing in the pit band. The professional standard of the music was down to the hours of practice and time spent at rehearsals. Well done to all. This term also saw four smaller recitals, the keyboard, vocal, guitar and brass recitals held in the Music Auditorium. These recitals featured soloists and ensembles, jazz to classical performances and were wonderfully received by our supportive audiences.

READ MORE … bradfordgrammar.com/news

New Music Department personnel– SPRING TERM 2020

The Music Department welcomed two new members of the Music team this term; Caroline Davis and Oliver Stokes. Caroline Davis is our new upper strings teacher and has already made a huge impact in the department in her lessons and directing the Senior String Ensemble and Clock House Strings. Mrs Davis brings a wealth of experience to BGS, having been a tutor at the Royal Northern Junior Department and a tutor for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

Mr Stokes is a guitarist and recent music graduate and is assisting in the department with instrumental lesson organisation, concert planning, and GCSE and A Level lessons.

There are more students than ever taking instrumental lessons at school on all orchestral and band instruments. Please contact the Music Department if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity.

Acting the part– SUMMER TERM 2020

Talented young actor Connor Elliott is hoping the next series of a popular BBC children’s television show will still go ahead this summer.Connor, 14 spends most of his summers filming for the CBBC sketch show ‘Class Dismissed’, which has just been commissioned for a seventh series. The show follows four Year 9 pupils as they grapple with everyday life with extraordinary teachers.

Connor has been acting and singing since he was four and secured his first part alongside theatre star Jason Donovan for the UK tour of ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ when he was aged just seven.

The teenager has been part of the ‘Class Dismissed’ cast for two years and has also appeared on stage with CBBC’s Mr Tumble, where he had to deliver his performance using Makaton sign language for his young audience. He has taken part in the children’s version of the television show ‘Gogglebox’ and his most recent achievement is landing a part in Wakefield Theatre Royal’s production of ‘Oklahoma’.

Connor has already passed with distinction his Grade 5 in Music Theatre and has a Grade 5 singing award from The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).

He said he was one of the lucky few who wasn’t affected by nerves on stage or screen.

He said: ‘I really enjoy filming ‘Class Dismissed’, it’s absolutely hilarious to do. You have to act like you’re in a normal school class. I’ve made a lot of friends and there are some really great actors which are part of it. Some of them have been acting for years so it’s a good opportunity to learn from them. We’re just hoping that filming will still be able to go ahead this year.’

READ MORE ...https://bit.ly/acting-the-part

“The teenager has been part of the ‘Class Dismissed’ cast for two years and has also

appeared on stage with CBBC’s Mr Tumble ...

A song for the NHS– SUMMER TERM 2020

Michael Groth an Old Bradfordian, TV presenter and musician kept himself busy during lockdown by writing and performing a song for our frontline workers. Titled, ‘Strong Enough’, Michael wanted to express his thanks to the NHS and also help to raise some money.Michael, who used to present the TV show ‘That’s Life’ with Esther Rantzen said: ‘I created the video because I was, like most of us, really moved by the bravery, devotion and caring of all the nurses and key workers battling on the frontline of the health and care services. To see how many were losing their lives, I felt we as a country were failing them – there was a lack of PPE and support.’

The song features different vocal treatments to switch between a patient and a nurse.

Michael added: ‘I tried to offer a degree of hope with the line ‘nothing lasts forever, nothing lasts for long’ and convey the need for strength from both the health workers and from the public to beat this dreadful disease.’

As well as sharing his song, Michael is raising money for the NHS with the money generated from purchases.

VIEW MICHAEL’S SONG ON YOUTUBE ...https://bit.ly/michael-groth

DOWNLOAD THE SONG ...https://bit.ly/strong-enough-download


Senior School and Sixth FormArts and Performance

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/news/


https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/teenage-actor-looking-forward-to-filming-new-series-of-bbc-show-2/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/teenage-actor-looking-forward-to-filming-new-series-of-bbc-show-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcn-_B9VH8&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcn-_B9VH8&t

https://michaelgroth.bandcamp.com/track/strong-enough

https://michaelgroth.bandcamp.com/track/strong-enough

Music student celebrates diploma achievement– SUMMER TERM 2020

Towards the end of last term, sixth form student John Scholey had cause for celebration, after gaining a full singing diploma – a feat not usually achieved until much older.John, 16, sang on Michael Portillo’s ‘Great British Railway Journeys’ last year, performing Frederick Delius’s ‘La Lune Blanche’. He sings with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and also sang with the Rodolfus Choir and soprano Katherine Jenkins at The Royal Albert Hall late last year.

Now the teenager, who wants to secure a choral scholarship at King’s College Cambridge, has gained his full singing diploma, the first student in years to achieve the accolade at the school.

John said: ‘It took over a year to work towards this diploma, so it was fantastic to hear that I’d passed. Music has become my life. There are so many opportunities open to you as a musician – the school has been great in supporting me to take part in musical events and achieve my goals.’

John started learning guitar at the age of four and soon progressed to singing – starting lessons with conductor and teacher Dr Andrew Padmore, aged eight. After joining BGS, he began learning electric bass guitar and piano and undertook his first post-Grade 8 diploma, the ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music), when he was only 13.

For his latest achievement, the DipABRSM (Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), the teenager had to perform 35 minutes of singing, as well as completing a 2,000-word programme and a complex piece of sight reading. The exam is considered to be of university standard.

John added: ‘I’ve been studying music and taking part in concerts for years. I find that nerves before concerts help me these days and give me a bit of an adrenaline boost so I can deliver my best performance.’

Elizabeth White, Director of Music, said: ‘We’re all very proud of John and his achievements, and for a pupil to even pass this exam, let alone one so young, is fantastic. The diploma really is a stunning achievement. It requires technical accuracy but also a musical maturity and John possesses both of these.’

Music roundup– SUMMER TERM 2020

By E White, Director of Music

The Music Department has continued to flourish this term, albeit in a different and new way!We are thrilled that our visiting instrumental staff are able to continue teaching students both in Clock House and the Senior School.

The students should be commended on how well they have adapted to this change. It has been a real pleasure receiving feedback from parents as to how these lessons have gone and equally, the music teachers have fed back to me about what a pleasure it has been teaching students at home. I know the music teachers have also enjoyed the interaction with students and parents alike. On Wednesday 20 May, I observed two excellent brass lessons via Microsoft Teams, one to a Clock House pupil and another to a Year 8 student. Well done to the students for engaging so well with these lessons and a big thank you to the music teachers delivering these.

Senior Choir has moved online and welcomed new members as it always

does at this time of year. Through Microsoft Teams, students have worked on Stanford’s Jubilate in B flat and Howells’ Like as the Hart as well as learning hymns for Founders’ Day. It’s not all serious music though, with members mastering a mean rendition of ‘The Ping Pong Song’ – a definite ear worm! Taking a choir ‘virtually’ with everyone’s microphone muted has been bizarre at times, but we’ve had great fun along the way. At the time of writing, we’re learning a new song, written by Will Todd. ‘Like a Rainbow Shining’ has been written for the COVID-19 pandemic and is based on the idea of rainbows appearing in people’s windows. Students have been encouraged to send in videos of themselves singing their respective parts to be included in a school virtual choir.

A new group started this term, rehearsing at 1pm on a Wednesday. This group, appropriately named ‘Wednesday sing-along’ was intended as a more light-hearted singing group, with no concert to prepare for or public performance. Students vote on a theme for the week and so far, we’ve sung Disney, ABBA, and 80s songs! Lyrics and sheet music are uploaded two days before and fancy dress is optional!

We’ve also enjoyed receiving videos of students performing for their communities. In particular, Keira (Year 9) performing on her saxophone at her street’s VE Day party and Alfie (Year 8) performing every Thursday for the Clap for Carers. Alfie performs on his trombone and has started to receive requests for pieces to play. Well done to both students!

Hannah (Year 12) recently participated in the Rodolfus Foundation’s Virtual Choral Evensong. Many of our students attend the Eton Choral Courses every year. Unfortunately, these have been cancelled this summer, but the Foundation put together a Choral Evensong broadcast on Facebook, with readings and contributions from Stephen Fry, The Reverend Richard Coles and Alexander Armstrong.

At the time of writing, I am busy collating a variety of student performances for inclusion in the first virtual lunchtime recital. On behalf of the department, we can’t wait to be making music together again.

On behalf of the department, we can’t

wait to be making music together again.

“

Talent snapshot

Arts subjects may be under threat nationally but they are thriving at BGS. We’re proud to present this snapshot of incredible artwork created by our pupils.1. Archie, Year 11

2. Issy, Year 13

3. Amelie, Year 9

4. Maddie, Year 12

5. Elsa, Year 9

6. Joshua, Year 12

7. Emily, Year 10

8. Emily, Year 10

9. Cerys, Year 12

10. Millie, Year 12

11. William, Year 7

12. Dilan, Year 7

13. Sam, Year 8

14. Esther, Year 11

1 2 3

4

5

8

9

10

11

1213

14

6

7

An inspiration to us all! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64BGS pupil becomes lifesaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Inspiring children to pick up a racket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Bradford University Mock Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66Bebras Challenge finalist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66French lessons at Frizinghall Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67BGS pupils help create anti-knife campaign app . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67BGS wins national wellbeing award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68Juvenes Translatores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68First Lego League Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Having a Ball! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Meet Lewis Pattinson: BGS Head Groundsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70WW1 Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71


Communities, Societies and ActivitiesModern Foreign Language Debating Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Year 9 Schools Linking event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Farewell Year 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72‘Our students have a lot to give ...’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73‘Pupils have adapted and shown resilience beyond belief ...’ . . . . .74Our Year 10 netballers raise funds despite lockdown . . . . . . . . . . . .74Apart but always united . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75‘We can’t control the storms of life ...’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76BGS Befriending scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77BGS help with food donations and distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Health staff thank BGS for making vital PPE equipment . . . . . . . . .78OB makes almost 100 visors for NHS staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78BGS in the Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79National NHS bike initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80Keeping in touch with our new Year 7 pupils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Wildlife charity fundraising target ‘smashed’! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82Our students adapt to new ways of working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82What to do when school shuts and sport is cancelled? . . . . . . . . . .83

Communities, Societies and Activities

An inspiration to us all!– AUTUMN TERM 2019

Following a diagnosis of a rare form of ovarian cancer aged just 13, Tabitha Wood has launched her own charity to help other youngsters living with cancer.Tabitha Wood, now 15, has so far raised more than £22k for the teenage cancer ward at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony, a charity which grants equine wishes for seriously ill people.

Most of the funds were raised via a tough 250-mile cycle ride from London to Leeds in the summer. Following its success, the experience has spurred Tabby on to set up her own charity.

Tabby, who is in remission, said: ‘I feel well now, and it meant a lot to be able to do the cycle ride. When I was on the cancer ward, everyone looked a bit sad and I thought it would be nice to have something which would take their minds off things, like iPads. Also, I really love horses and I know how much horses have helped me in my recovery, so I wanted to give back to a charity which makes wishes come true for people who love horses and are ill.’

Tabby was diagnosed with a rare form of fast-growing ovarian cancer when she was just 13. The keen horse rider had shown few symptoms other than feeling tired and a lump in her stomach. Tests showed she had a tumour the size of a melon and she underwent emergency surgery at LGI to remove it.

BGS pupil becomes lifesaver– AUTUMN TERM 2019

After learning first aid at an after-school club, BGS pupil Stephen Orbeladze, then 9, was quickly able to put his first aid knowledge into practice by helping a woman who collapsed on his street.When he saw the lady was unresponsive, he quickly went over and tried talking to her. When she wasn’t talking he checked for breathing by putting his ear to her mouth. Once he knew she was breathing, he rolled her on to her side with her head tilted back. He then asked his mum to call for an ambulance and they stayed with her until one arrived.

Stephen from Skipton, but who now lives in Bradford, said: ‘I was a little nervous but I remembered what to do because I had learned at first aid club. I think it is important to know what to do because we should all help each other. I am really proud of what I did.’

Stephen’s dad Wayne said: ‘Stephen’s incredible bravery shows the importance of teaching first aid to children. He used the skills he learned in school to help a woman who had collapsed in front of him. We’re incredibly proud of him.

‘I think most people probably would have been too afraid to help her because they might not know what to do, but not Stephen. His training gave him the confidence to rush over and jump into action.’

Inspiring children to pick up a racket– AUTUMN TERM 2019

In 2019, BGS teamed up with Skipton Tennis Centre (STC) to run a youth tennis competition, which saw more than 20 seven to eight and nine to ten-year olds pick up their rackets and take to the courts.Adam Cox, Head Coach at STC, said he takes great pride instilling a love of tennis in hundreds of children at the centre and that competitions help youngsters to challenge themselves while having fun.

‘Skipton Tennis Centre and BGS have a lot of sporting values in common which makes them a perfect fit. Sport should be inclusive and accessible to all people and communities. One of the key elements is it needs to be fun. Tennis is a great way to have fun while energising the body and mind, and it allows young players to build confidence and make outstanding progress.’

Tabby and Ben, a former BGS student who is now in his first year at Cambridge University, came up with the challenge to ride from London’s Charing Cross Hospital, where Prof Seckl waved the team off, to the LGI, where her day-to-day care takes place, as a way of giving back to the people who saved her life.

Said Tabby: ‘It was a big challenge, so it was quite daunting, especially because I’d never even ridden a bike on the road until five weeks before we set off!’

Tabby now has blood tests every two months and scans every three to keep a close eye on her health. She’s looking forward to presenting her cheques to her chosen charities. The target was £10,000 but the family surpassed that by raising £22,500. They were helped by Tabby’s classmates who raised £325 from a bake sale and sports day.

TO DONATE, PLEASE VISIThttp://bit.ly/tabbystrust


“I really love horses and I know how much horses have helped me in my recovery, so I wanted to give back to a charity which makes wishes come true for people who

love horses and are ill.


https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/%0Alifecycle?utm_term=xXWgyWnbE

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/%0Alifecycle?utm_term=xXWgyWnbE



BGS pupils help create anti-knife campaign app– SPRING TERM 2020

Pupils from BGS have designed a new app to save more young people from knife crime.They joined forces with other schools, charities, police and the Home Office to create ‘Aunty Knife’ – a portal for reporting crime and advice for parents or teenagers who feel unsafe, available on both Apple and Android.

The play on word campaign by Neesie is designed to sit in the hearts and minds of young people, who tailored the features to what they want to see, and acts as a family figure to those at risk.

Two pupils from BGS were also selected to attend a meeting in the Houses of Parliament to present their group’s policy paper. Their reports will offer solutions to ministers in the plight to reduce and eradicate the national weapon epidemic.


Bradford University Mock Trial– SPRING TERM 2020

To mark the opening of Bradford University’s Lady Hale Mock Trial Court, named in honour of the former president of the Supreme Court, the university organised a mock trial competition for local schools. Competitors acted as barristers in fictitious criminal cases, with the setting of the new court room providing a realistic backdrop.

BGS’s team, made up of Anna McCormack, Beth Norton, and Shaan Aziz, attended a session on advocacy skills and the Theft Act, before successfully defending Steve McDonald against a charge of theft in the heats, and winning the final by securing an acquittal for Thor Hamer, a football player charged with assault on the pitch. The students were delighted to be invited to the official opening of the court, where Lady Hale herself presented them with the trophy.


“... the campaign is designed to sit in the hearts and minds

of young people ...

Bebras Challenge finalist– SPRING TERM 2020

Talented student Alex Davies was invited to the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford in February as a finalist in a UK-wide competition – The UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge.Reaching the final of the Seniors (14-16) age group was an impressive achievement, as 22,722 students entered the first round for this age group. Alex scored full marks in the first round and was among the top 56 highest achieving students in the country invited to the final round in his age group. He was presented with his finalist’s certificate at a prize-giving ceremony by Peter Millican, Professor of Philosophy at Hertford College.

The UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, supported by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, is designed to get students excited about computing and computational thinking. It is a problem-solving contest with questions inspired by topics in computer science. In the first round, students had to try to solve as many problems as possible in an allotted time. There were six age categories. The highest scoring students from the four oldest age groups (Elite, Seniors, Intermediate, and Juniors) were then invited to the Department of Computer Science at Oxford, for the finals over two weekends in January and February.


French lessons at Frizinghall Primary– SPRING TERM 2020

16 willing A Level French students in Years 12 and 13 took up the challenge to plan and deliver a French lesson to all pupils in Years 3 to 6 at a local primary school. With guidance from their teacher and French assistant, Muriel, they made some excellent resources, thought up games and fun ideas – one even involved a re-telling in French of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ story. Other topics included French greetings, numbers, family members, colours, foods and pets, with each year group receiving a different lesson.

BGS students were delighted with the warm and enthusiastic reception from the pupils and staff at Frizinghall Primary, and with the success of their lessons (even though this was the first experience of teaching for most of them, and some admitted to feeling a little nervous beforehand!) It was agreed by both sides that this was a valuable experience and one we hope to repeat in the future.

Senior School and Sixth FormCommunities, Societies and Activities








BGS wins national wellbeing award– SPRING TERM 2020

Earlier this term, we were delighted to win a national award for our Happiness campaign, supporting the good mental health of pupils, staff and the wider community. Our pastoral team collected the TES Independent School ‘Wellbeing Initiative of the Year’ Award at an event in London. The award recognised the collaborative efforts of staff, parents and pupils coming together in a series of online videos talking about how they manage their own mental health. There was also tailored support for pupils who needed it, a focus on how sport and exercise could contribute to good mental health and an emphasis on what staff can do to help pupils’ mental health.

Headmaster Dr Simon Hinchliffe said: ‘We wanted to make a difference by taking positive action on behalf of ourselves and others. It’s important that we nurture the whole child at BGS as well as supporting them to achieve their academic goals.’

Felicity Robertshaw-Hughes, Deputy Head (Pastoral) at the Junior School, said: ‘Pupil wellbeing is the foundation for academic excellence. It’s imperative that we support our children fully from the minute they join us at the junior school, so that they have the skills to be happy and thrive in the future.’


First Lego League Competition– SPRING TERM 2020

Since September, pupils have been designing, building and programming Lego Mindstorms robots to enter the First Lego League, an international STEM competition run by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This year, the challenge was called ‘City Shaper’ which centred around architecture and the spaces we live in. The competition is designed for teams of young people, to encourage an interest in real-world themes and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers. There are three parts to the competition: the robot game; innovation project; and core values. The pupils have previously won awards for the project and the core values section but winning the robot game has proven elusive.

Mrs Harvey (Head of Computer Science) and Mr Cottrell took two teams to the University of Bradford for the regional tournament in December. There were a lot of schools from the region there and some strong competition. The older team included two Year 11 pupils, Alex Davies and Haaris Aslam, who were competing for the last time this year, as next year they will be too old.

Their robot had two attempts to score as many points as possible from the challenges, which included carrying bricks out to circular enclosures and moving levers to release cranes. Their first attempt was disappointing, scoring only 85 points, but they did not give up and set about making improvements. In the final round, they scored a flawless 305 points, with the second-place team way behind on 205 points, winning them the robot game.

The new Year 7 team were consistent, scoring 120 and then 100 points in their two attempts, which for a new team was amazing! Unfortunately, the team were not the overall winners across all three sections, but they were pleased to have won the elusive robot game before two of the older team members retired. Proof that persistence pays off, as the same two pupils have entered the competition for the past five years, since they were in Year 7.

YOU CAN WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE TEAM’S PERFECT ROUND HERE … http://bit.ly/legoleaguecomp

Having a Ball!– SPRING TERM 2020

Rugby fundraising and preparations for the senior development rugby 2020 tour to South Africa and Namibia.Last term there was fundraising aplenty through the Rugby Parents’ Association, particularly at the annual Christmas Ball, attended by over 200 parents and friends of the school. The evening was one of the best we’ve had for years; the introduction of Aire Drums to the line-up was hugely successful and a particular highlight – almost blowing the house down with their performance! Thank you to all those that helped ‘behind the scenes’ to make the event a success and equally to those who supported on the night.

Some of the monies raised through our fundraising activities goes towards the biennial senior development tour, and other junior tours taking place throughout the year. Please put the next Ball date, Saturday 5 December, in your diaries, where we hope to continue to build on previous successes!

Next season’s senior rugby players eagerly await their pre-season development tour to South Africa and Namibia, taking place during August. Mr Scarbrough will take the 38 boys from Stellenbosch through Cape Town, Die Swartland, Walvis Bay and Etosha National Park, preparing for the season ahead and playing fixtures along the way, whilst making lifelong memories. Staff and students alike are all very much looking forward to the tour and the boys are training hard in preparation for it.

Juvenes Translatores– SPRING TERM 2020

Five members of the Sixth Form, studying French, German, Spanish and Russian at A Level, took part in an EU-wide annual translation competition, Juvenes Translatores, in November. The art of translation is not only in translating the source text correctly, but also in ensuring the final piece reads well in English, so the competition entrants were challenged, both in terms of their A Level studies and in the level of their expression in English. They pitted their wits against other students of the same age throughout Europe and, if they win the competition, will be able to look forward to a visit to an awards ceremony in Brussels later in 2020.





https://twitter.com/TeachesCompSci/status/1207304191452090368



community. Small details also have a big impact. For example, I’ve changed all the rugby posts. These used to be pulled out of the ground using a lorry, which over time can cause wear and tear on the turf. These have been replaced with new aluminium hinged rugby posts which are much better for long term use and the wider environment.

I’ve worked professionally on many sports, ranging from Rugby League, Rugby Union, Football, Athletics and Major League Baseball. It’s not just a job, it’s a way of life. Nobody really goes to school and says: ‘I want to be a groundsman’. People tend to naturally fall into it through other passions, myself included. I’ve spoken to many top groundsmen who were professional footballers coming through the ranks. When they didn’t get taken on, they realised they still wanted to be involved in the sporting environment and ended up working in stadiums.

I absolutely love working in a school after a large stadium. The environment is warm, intimate and I feel extremely valued and looked after here. From 14 years of age I knew this was my calling and now I can concentrate all my efforts on this fabulous school.’

READ MORE … bradfordgrammar.com/news/staff-voices

Meet Lewis Pattinson: BGS Head Groundsman– SPRING TERM 2020

It’s not just a job, it’s a way of life ...’‘I manage the daily work activities of the Estates Department to ensure that the grounds, pitches and gardens are maintained and kept in good condition. I’m an award-winning groundsman having won the Institute of Groundsmanship Young Groundsman of the Year in 2016. Before joining BGS, I worked as Deputy Head Groundsman at London Stadium for two years which is home to West Ham United Football Club.

When I first saw the school grounds, I thought “what a fantastic challenge!” They were good, but I wanted the standard to be excellent – just like the ethos of BGS. This value was instilled in me from a young age when I set up my own gardening company at 14 years old. I only got paid five pounds a week pocket money, so I wanted to feel more independent.

I cut everyone’s garden on the street and my next-door neighbour asked if I’d like to go and work for him as an apprentice greenkeeper on his private golf course. He could see how passionate and interested I was. I suppose I already embodied BGS’s Hoc Age ‘get on and do it’ attitude from an early age, an attitude I see reflected every day in our pupils and staff across 28 beautiful acres.

One of my biggest achievements so far has been to put in place a new fertiliser programme using feedback from an agronomist, who’s knowledgeable in turf grasses and their management. They provided useful practical advice as well as an overall assessment of the condition of the current BGS sport grounds. Going back to basics in this way allows us to track, maintain and achieve better results for our outstanding new £4 million sport facilities that includes new cricket lanes, netball and tennis courts and astro-turfed hockey pitches as well as our all-weather sports barn.

The sports barn and hockey pitches are world class, so I’ve invested in new machinery to maintain these and all the new pitches, inside and out. It’s all about continuous, top-level maintenance and care, to provide the best experience for pupils, staff and the wider

Modern Foreign Language Debating Competition– SPRING TERM 2020

Six A Level linguists were invited to compete in the Modern Languages Debate at St Peter’s York, involving lively debates on topics such as global tourism and the positive impact of digital technology, all carried out in French, German or Spanish. The debates were fierce and fast-paced, but our linguists performed impressively in their first experience at this event. The requirement to think fast, form and deliver an argument in fluent and persuasive language was exhausting to watch, let alone carry out – and all excellent practice for their A Level oral exam! Well done to all our competitors – your teachers are proud of you.

WW1 Tribute– SPRING TERM 2020

On 14 January, our remembrance project paid its last respects to over 230 former pupils who gave their life to serve their country in World War 1. Over the past five and a half years, the school’s Old Bradfordians’ Association (OBA) has collaborated with the former Head of History to reveal the identities and stories of those former pupils who died during the First World War.The final ceremony remembered all those from the BGS community who were caught up in the courageous but tragic events of the First World War: those who were killed in action, or by subsequent disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, and those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare.


I suppose I already embodied BGS’s Hoc Age ‘get on and do it’ attitude

from an early age, an attitude I see reflected every day in our pupils

and staff across 28 beautiful acres.

“


https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/news/staff-voices/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/news/staff-voices/



Year 9 Schools Linking event– SPRING TERM 2020

Year 9 Students have taken part in a Schools Linking project with Oasis Academy Lister Park. At the last meeting they were challenged to come up with an idea which would help children attending primary schools in Manningham. The students did a great job presenting their ideas which included:

• collecting spare wellies and raincoats which were passed onto nursery and reception children to ensure they can play out even on wet days;

• creating audio versions of children’s stories read in different languages, so children can hear stories at home with their families who might struggle to read English.

The students worked well together to create ideas and communicate them well. We made sure we had lots of fun, with team building games and had a great lunch together too.

Feedback from students and visitors was very positive:

‘I had a lot of fun learning about other people and being able to interact with them.’

‘We had loads of fun meeting new people and we got to do loads of activities that helped us connect.’

Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster said: ‘The recent Linking Network partnership activity was another success. Mr Boardman and I enjoyed joining students from both schools in team building activities and later received their presentations and offered feedback. The groups pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and worked collaboratively with new people, before pitching their ideas to invited guests. The task was not easy, but the groups did themselves and their schools proud. If barriers and misconceptions exist between schools and groups within them, these have been broken down’.

Farewell Year 13– SUMMER TERM 2020

By J Reed-Purvis, Head of Year 13

In March, Year 13 were hit with a real bombshell. Just as they were ‘gearing up’ for the biggest exams of their lives, the government suspended A Levels for 2020. We then went into lockdown. It is difficult to exaggerate how much of a blow this was. These were students who had reached the culmination of their BGS careers and were now denied the chance to demonstrate their true worth.

Yet, there have been some real positives to come out of this experience. My colleagues have been extremely impressed with the levels of engagement and intellectual curiosity displayed by the students, with some outstanding pieces of work submitted during the shutdown. The students have also become much more resourceful and self-reliant, skills that are going to be essential as they move into Higher Education and the job market. They have been superb and, as their Head of Year, I am especially proud of them all.

with our sports department, or read to children at Frizinghall Primary School.

We have awards for volunteering so they can achieve a V10 (hours) and ones for 30, 50 and 100. We try and find as many ways we can help people as possible. BGS has a good reputation for working in the community. The students learn a great deal from it. They can develop their skills and it’s good to get them involved in working with other people. They can also add it to their UCAS personal statement or use it towards the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, which requires them to volunteer an hour a week for 18 months.

A lot of our students are keen to give back in some way in line with the school motto, Hoc Age, which means ‘get on and do’. It’s nice to hear from organisations when they give positive feedback saying how great our students are and how much they appreciate what they do. They’re really happy to provide references for students.

It’s good when you see how they mature as a result of volunteering. They have a lot to give to others and it’s great to see.

“ Just as Year 13 were ‘gearing up’ for the biggest exams of their lives, the government suspended A Levels for 2020. We then went into lockdown.

It is difficult to exaggerate how much of a blow this was.

‘Our students have a lot to give ...’– SUMMER TERM 2020

By A Crabtree, Assistant Head of Sixth Form Enrichment

It’s very rewarding helping to do things for other people and I’m keen to encourage our students to do that. Every student in Years 12 and 13 has a login to register to volunteer on vInspired. We currently have 140 volunteers in Year 12 alone; they completed 1,577 hours of volunteering between them from September to March. We’ve developed a lot of good links with local organisations. Every September, organisations such as Age UK come and present what they do and what the students can get involved with at the volunteering fair which is held in school. Every Wednesday afternoon, for example, we have older people come in to see us, such as Jean who’s nearly 90, and we talk about history, about Bradford and its people and we work with the iPads and get the students helping them with apps. Bevan House is also a good one for students to get involved in, it’s a healthcare organisation and they run an after-school club for the children of refugees. Others go across to Clock House to volunteer, help



‘Pupils have adapted and shown resilience beyond belief ...’– SUMMER TERM 2020

By S Flaherty, Head of Higher Education and Careers

‘You do know the speaker isn’t turned on?’ comments my daughter as I shriek, ‘Year 12, can you hear me?’ down the microphone for the tenth time. Year 12 had been kindly telling me that yes, they could hear me, but I couldn’t hear them for the last five minutes! It has been a steep learning curve adapting to remote teaching. I miss the pupils. I miss their energy; I miss their humour and I miss seeing the smiles as they finally crack something difficult. I have found it hard not saying a proper goodbye to my lovely Year 11 and Year 13 classes and I have had sleepless nights over grades. I am getting a cricked neck from marking slightly out of focus sideways photos –why do they never upload the right way up?!

But there have also been some remarkable positives. The pupils have adapted and shown resilience beyond belief. My IT skills have improved immensely, helped by the amazing support of colleagues. I have learnt about the joys of emojis – who knew there was such a choice?!

I have been able to spend time in the sunshine with my own children. We have enjoyed the challenges from the PE Department – doing strength and conditioning routines (or having a go at any rate!) with my daughter and running with my 15 year old son, means I am the fittest I have been in a long while. The children have been improving their baking skills – thanks to our Executive Chef, Dean for some great ‘BGS Kitchen’ recipes,

although his helpers always seem to be out of pyjamas. I could use some advice on how he achieves that!

Once dressed, we have discovered footpaths we never knew existed, despite them being on our doorstep, and we have seen a lot of lambs. In a time that is so hard for very many people, I am grateful that we are in good health and that we live in such a glorious part of the country. Once we are out of lockdown and back to the usual pace of life, I hope we remember how much we have enjoyed some of life’s simple pleasures. And, if you see me with a slightly wonky neck then you know why!

Our Year 10 netballers raise funds despite lockdown– SUMMER TERM 2020

Over the weekend of 24-26 April, our superstar Year 10 netballers took it upon themselves to keep busy in isolation. They each ran 1.5 miles to cover the 26-mile distance of the London Marathon, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April, raising money for Brain Research UK in support of Miss Miller.

The girls raised just under £300 which they later donated to Miss Miller’s JustGiving page.

Well done to the girls – a fantastic achievement and kind gesture in support of Miss Miller – a true representation of teamwork and the BGS netball family we have created.

Apart but always united– SUMMER TERM 2020

Back in mid-March we began to enter new territory, not only as a school community, but as a nation.As the Headmaster quoted in his blog at the time: ‘These are unprecedented times and we are embracing new ways of learning, working and looking after each other. Bradford Grammar School is not closed, we are simply adjusting to a new routine’. And that we did.

Since going into lockdown, virtual teaching via Microsoft Teams became the norm, and new web pages were developed to help keep the school community up-to-date with resources and BGS communications.

Content is regularly added to these webpages and is broad and varied, ranging from sporting challenges, to school assemblies and book clubs, to art, science and music projects, and even learning how to cook/bake with our Executive Chef!

These images are just a snapshot of the examples that have been shared with us.

READ MORE ...bradfordgrammar.com/covid-19 #bgsfamily



https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/covid-19-home/covid-19/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/covid-19-home/covid-19/

‘We can’t control the storms of life ...’– SUMMER TERM 2020

By J Rutter, Rutter, School Counsellor

My first dilemma when school closed on 20 March was how best to support the existing students that I was seeing. I’m not experienced in telephone or online counselling, and so began a steep learning curve for me. Fortunately, The BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists) provided support and advice for counsellors finding themselves in a new and unprecedented situation where they were no longer able to see their clients face to face. I soon entered the unfamiliar territory of online training and webinars, which gave me all the information I needed. I’ve also learnt how to access my school desktop virtually and have been attending online team meetings via Microsoft Teams. Most of my students were happy to move to telephone counselling and I am video calling those who prefer it. It has all worked out surprisingly well. I was previously a bit cynical about online counselling, but I am fast becoming a convert! All in all, lockdown has presented me with a golden opportunity to learn to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances.

BGS Befriending scheme– SUMMER TERM 2020

Following a successful pilot in the immediate wake of lockdown, the Development & Old Bradfordians’ Office enlisted the help of 12 trained volunteers to reach out to self-isolating and vulnerable Old Bradfordians. With those over 70 most impacted by the current crisis, we wanted to support our community in the same way that it has always supported school and alleviate some of the loneliness this group in particular may be experiencing at the present time.

The BGS family once again proved itself just that, with pupils, teaching staff and parents stepping forward to offer help. Volunteers took to the phones to chat to OBs, share stories, offer practical support, and stay connected. Those who received calls have spoken of how ‘really rather amazed’ they were to receive a call, and their enjoyment is matched by the callers themselves, who are enjoying learning about what school was like in the 40s and 50s! More than 150 Old Bradfordians received calls during a four week period, as part of a wider programme of support for the Old Bradfordian community, which included streamed school productions, careers support, and the launch of a brand new business network.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the Befriending initiative – the first to be piloted in the school sector and the only scheme on this scale in the north of England.

BGS help with food donations and distributions– SUMMER TERM 2020

Surplus food including apples, potatoes, peppers, salad and bananas, plus a collection of Easter Eggs were donated to the Bradford Central Foodbank in late March by our Executive Chef, Dean Winter.The Foodbank, who help to feed Bradford families in crisis, do an amazing job of delivering packages to the vulnerable and those isolating during this challenging time, so Dean and his team were delighted to be able to help by donating excess food supplies.

Students have also been helping in the community with food distributions. Year 8 student Arooj has been distributing food and gifts to the vulnerable as part of the COVID-19 charity response team.

“ ... lockdown has presented me with a golden opportunity

to learn to be flexible and adapt to changing

circumstances.

In lockdown life, I’ve been trying to practise what I preach by getting up at the same time every day and keeping to a routine. I’ve been eating well, sleeping well and drinking plenty of water (as well as the odd glass of wine in the evening!) I’ve been exercising daily, running, walking and doing yoga. I’ve also been using The Smiling Mind & Headspace Apps to do a daily mindfulness meditation which I highly recommend. I’m really missing my early morning swims in the BGS pool, but have been spending time in the garden, planting flowers and growing vegetables from seed. We have been using Zoom to connect with family and friends, having family quizzes and discussing books with my book club friends.

The most challenging part of lockdown for me has, however, been the loss of my beloved mum, who died of cancer last month, in a hospice in Sheffield. I was able to be with her at the end and have drawn strength from her example – she was a very strong and inspirational lady, who believed that ‘life is for living’. In these strange times of adversity, it is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but rather learning to dance in the rain. We can’t control the storms of life, but we do have control over the way we choose to respond to them.

It is the difficult and challenging periods of our life that shape us as people and allow us to develop grit, resilience, and personal strength. I hope we can all find ways of turning our negative experiences of lockdown into positives – by focusing on the many things we have gained from the current situation, rather than what we may have lost or be missing out on.

Jo is currently working from home and is available to support students that might be struggling, as are our school nurses Sally and Kelly.

Details of how to contact them can be found on page nine of your school planners.



BGS in the Press– SUMMER TERM 2020

Take a look at some of the press coverage BGS has received this term …

VIEW THE BGS PRESS PORTFOLIO ...https://bit.ly/bgs-press-portfolio

Health staff thank BGS for making vital PPE equipment– SUMMER TERM 2020

Doctors and health workers have thanked BGS for making personal protective equipment (PPE) for its frontline staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been supplying care homes, GP practices, hospitals and optometrists with the vital equipment, which is needed because of a lack of available protective shields.Visors have been specially made on a 3D printer and 3D laser cutter in the DT department by DT technician, Roger Burton. Among the recipients are medical practices and care homes across Yorkshire and hospitals in Leeds and Glasgow, with requests for new equipment coming in daily.

READ MORE ...https://bit.ly/ppe-thanks

OB makes almost 100 visors for NHS staff– SUMMER TERM 2020

An Old Bradfordian has been thanked by grateful NHS staff after making almost 100 visors on his 3D printer.Joseph Hill, originally from Brighouse, is studying electronic and computer engineering at Brighton University, and initially wanted to help his mum and her NHS work colleagues have access to comfortable PPE equipment.

Joseph has had a 3D printer for more than two years and said he had seen the amazing things it could create.

He said: ‘I’d been looking for a way to help people by using it and I was initially looking for a way to help my mum and a few colleagues.

‘I was really shocked when I found out about the shortage of PPE, even for the doctors and nurses on intensive care units, and I wanted to help. After the first few, I was asked if I could make more, so I started printing all day and night.’

READ MORE ...https://bit.ly/joseph-hill

The Bradfordian 78/79

https://bradfordgrammarschool.myportfolio.com/bgs-press

https://bradfordgrammarschool.myportfolio.com/bgs-press

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/health-staff-thank-bgs-for-making-vital-ppe-equipment/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/health-staff-thank-bgs-for-making-vital-ppe-equipment/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/old-bradfordian-makes-almost-100-visors-for-nhs-staff/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/old-bradfordian-makes-almost-100-visors-for-nhs-staff/

Keeping in touch with our new Year 7 pupils– SUMMER TERM 2020

Nothing could stop our new Year 7 pupils from keeping in touch with us and showing off their various talents during the lockdown period. We set regular quizzes, competitions and activities for our new boys and girls to get involved with and they did just that … and in large numbers!

It was heartening for us to see just what our new pupils were doing to help pass the time during lockdown. Many made us smile, some made us sad, but all reinforced what we already knew – that we have some talented and enthusiastic young people about to join the BGS community. The spirit of ‘Hoc Age’ can definitely be attributed to this new year group!

Shown here is a montage of just a few of the items that came our way. Apologies if we have missed off some pieces of work, we were unable to show everything, but hopefully those that are not featured here were seen via our social media accounts!

National NHS bike initiative– SUMMER TERM 2020

Two enterprising friends who went to BGS are helping NHS and other essential workers secure bikes to travel safely as part of a national campaign. Lucy Wellings, a nurse working on London’s COVID-19 hospital wards, and friend Charlotte Sumner-Bedford, are Old Bradfordians. The pair are running the Tour De Thanks scheme, where they encourage people to donate or lend much-needed bikes to NHS staff and other key workers.

The campaign was launched when Lucy had her bike stolen. The 28-year-old, who normally works as a paediatric and adolescent research nurse specialist at University College London Hospital, had been reassigned to a COVID ward and needed her bike to get to work.

The nurse eventually tracked down her stolen bike, which was being sold online, but the experience made her realise how reliant she and her colleagues were on bikes as safe modes of transport during the pandemic.

‘When I had my bike stolen, lots of people offered to help me by either lending me or giving me a bike. It made me think there must be more people in my situation,’ said Lucy, whose family still live in Addingham, near Ilkley, and whose grandfather, Jack Sanderson, is a previous headmaster of BGS.

‘A lot of people don’t have cars in London, and we’ve seen a surge in demand since lockdown restrictions have eased. NHS and other essential workers are even more worried about using public transport for their commute, so we’re in great need of bike donations.

“It’s been good having something to focus on.

The support has been incredible.

‘We’ve had people from across the country come forward and donate bikes. There’s only so much we can do, so they post their photos and we try and match people up via social media. It’s overwhelming how supportive people have been, including many from the Old Bradfordian community.’

Lucy’s school friend, Charlotte, was keen to help after being furloughed from her work as assistant manager at Albert Hall in Manchester. She created some artwork for Tour De Thanks and does most of the day-to-day connecting of people and bikes via Twitter and Instagram. The friends have so far managed to secure around 40 bikes for people from across the country, including several at Lucy’s former workplace, Leeds General Infirmary. The iconic cycling brand Brompton has also donated 30 bikes to the cause.

Said Charlotte, 28: ‘It’s been good having something to focus on. The support for it has been incredible. Since the lockdown has eased, we’ve had more NHS staff get in touch than ever so it’s nice to help people out.’

Dr Simon Hinchliffe, headmaster at BGS, said: ‘Lucy and Charlotte have made us all proud in being able to turn Lucy’s misfortune with her bike being stolen, into something positive to help others and offering a ray of hope in difficult times. It’s great to see them working together to help others and we wish them every success with their campaign.’

TO DONATE OR LEND A BIKE, FIND TOUR DE THANKS ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM.


2. Organising a raffle for two Raju elephant soft toys, supplied to Milli by the charity – this has currently raised £300 with some tickets still available.

3. Milli then, with the support of her family, surveyed her house and garage and placed items such as an old printer, scooters and a games console that were no longer played with, on the local community Facebook page for local people to collect on their daily walk from her doorstep. Milli simply requested a voluntary donation to her fundraiser, so no exchange of monies took place. This ingenious idea proved to be very popular and helped to boost her fundraising.

Since March, Milli has tripled her fundraising target and has, at the time of writing this article, raised just over £1,200.

READ MORE ABOUT WILDLIFE SOS ...https://wildlifesos.org/our-work

A message from Mr. Hoath with regards to DofE work ...Despite lockdown, DofE work continues, with students working towards the completion of their award. Expeditions will take place when conditions and the guidance regarding social distancing allow.

Our students adapt to new ways of working– SUMMER TERM 2020

From the Heads of Year

The final term of this academic year has certainly been very different to any we have experienced before. As Heads of Year, we are extremely proud and impressed by the way in which the students have adapted to these unprecedented times. Our students’ ability to adapt to the new ways of working and to learn how to use new technologies has certainly put us to shame! We would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the work which has really impressed us during our period of online learning. We look forward to seeing all of you in the not so distant future! Hoc Age!

Wildlife charity fundraising target ‘smashed’!– SUMMER TERM 2020

Milli R is currently doing her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award through school.For the Volunteering element of the award, she chose to help animal charity, Wildlife SOS: a non-profit organisation who work tirelessly to protect and save India’s wildlife, well known for rescuing abused elephants and all of India’s ‘dancing’ bears from the tourist trade. Milli set herself an ambitious fundraising target of £400.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, she was, however unable to proceed with one of her main fundraising activities; a ‘coffee and cake morning’, which she had hoped to run utilising her newly acquired skill of baking. However, this didn’t stop Milli and using her ingenuity and support from Debbie Haynes at the charity, she altered her project plans and set out to raise money in three different ways:

1. Creating a fundraiser on Facebook, writing about the charity and asking for online donations.

What to do when school shuts and sport is cancelled?– SUMMER TERM 2020

By O Rogers, Director of Sport

This is a challenge that no one could have imagined possible a few months ago. Not to be discouraged, the BGS Sport Department set to work creating and producing as many activities and resources as possible to help inspire students and staff. From skills and fitness sessions, video analysis groups and quizzes, to a shirt design competition and challenges galore, we set about making them all happen. Students have been receiving messages of resources and support throughout this time from the department and it has been so amazing to see the results. Those normally more active are challenging themselves to invent new ways to exercise, and those maybe less inclined to put on a pair of trainers are getting stuck in and realising the importance of staying active during this time.

Some of the projects that have happened this term have been the 2.6 Challenge, the Virtual Running Challenge and the ‘Skill Up’ Challenge. Clock House students have received daily challenges to fine tune their skills and be creative, from Garden Olympics to a rainbow shirt challenge and VE Day themed sporting activities.

On Sunday 26 April, Miss Miller was due to run the London Marathon for Brain Research UK. Due to COVID-19, this was postponed and in its place the London Marathon set up the #twopointsixchallenge. This was an initiative to encourage people to get involved in anything related to the numbers two and six (as a marathon is 26.2 miles). Miss Miller challenged BGS staff and students to take part in the challenge and there was a great uptake from all. There were many entries, from both Junior and Senior School, all equally impressive. Entries included: 26 minutes of yoga, 26 ‘keepy ups’, 2.6 minutes of juggling, 26 blueberries stuffed in a mouth at one time, 260 netball shots, 26 one handed pogo stick jumps, 26m skid on

a bike, 26 échappé en pointe and someone even swam for 26 minutes in a small pool in their back garden with a bungee rope tied to them! The list goes on. It’s great to see so many of the BGS community staying active and keeping involved in BGS challenges. Well done to you all.

The Virtual Running Challenge saw six schools compete over three running challenges: a 1km and 3km distance, plus a 20-minute time trial. All schools encouraged their students and staff to record their times and distance to compete against others from the other side of the country. BGS students did themselves proud with a number of top ten finishes and a couple of team category victories as well. A total of 635 people recorded scores which is a great initial figure. I really hope the vast majority, if not more, continue to be active as we attempt to come out of lockdown.

The ‘Skill Up’ Challenge is inspiring the BGS community to try and learn something new whilst in lockdown. This could be a new language, a magic trick, training animals or trying to run 5km in under 20 minutes. Keep going if you have engaged!

This is definitely a time to be creative and try something new.

Stay safe and be active.

WATCH THE 2.6 CHALLENGE ...https://bit.ly/sport-challenges



https://wildlifesos.org/our-work/

https://wildlifesos.org/our-work/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/covid-19-home/covid-19-sport/

https://www.bradfordgrammar.com/covid-19-home/covid-19-sport/

Year 7 Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Geography field trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Junior Classics trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Rotterdam Hockey tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87Spanish trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88Vecht racing in the Netherlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88Journey to Ainsdale Sands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88South Africa Hockey tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89World War I Battlefields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90Amazon UK Business trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Tudor London trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Junior Ski trip – Bardonecchia, Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Senior Ski trip – Killington, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91


Trips

TripsGeography field trip– AUTUMN TERM 2019

On Boxing Day 2015, residents of Haworth awoke to find that a huge hole had appeared in a pub wall, the railway was closed, and the main street was blocked. The cause? Flooding.

This term, Year 11 Geography students set off to investigate why Haworth is so vulnerable to this hazard. They began their journey in the town’s remaining mill, where the owner of Wyedean Weaving, Old Bradfordian Robin Wright, recounted tales of past floods, and gave some reasons why they occur in the Worth Valley. Armed with digital flowmeters, they stopped at various locations to collect primary evidence to help them solve the mystery. We also explore Haworth every February, when Mr Wright and Councillor Rebecca Poulsen help our Sixth Form students assess rural regeneration and sense of place.

Junior Classics trip– AUTUMN TERM 2019

A group of Year 8 pupils left the rain behind and enjoyed four sunny days on the Bay of Naples. They climbed Mount Vesuvius and explored some of the sites the volcano bequeathed to us: Pompeii, Herculaneum and the villa at Oplontis.

This was the group’s first taste of Hockey

abroad, and what better place to do it in none other than one of the hockey capitals of

the world, Holland!

“

Year 7 Residential– AUTUMN TERM 2019

The third week of our new school year saw pupils embark on their friendship-making residential to PGL Caythorpe Court in Lincolnshire. We basked in glorious sunshine this time and enjoyed our ‘glamping’ experience. The days were busy with the pupils (and some of the more daring staff) taking part in team-building activities such as raft building and trapeze. The activities were varied to appeal to everyone, from those with two feet firmly on the ground, like archery and orienteering, to those more adrenaline intense, like giant swing which, judging by the screams heard, is not for the faint-hearted! Getting to know each other properly is much easier when done outside of the classroom and these three days together are so useful in helping to kick start Year 7. We had great fun and returned feeling a real part of the BGS community. Hoc Age!

Rotterdam Hockey tour– AUTUMN TERM 2019

Bradford Grammar School U14 hockey teams, boys and girls, set sail for a five-night tour in Rotterdam, Holland. This was the group’s first taste of hockey abroad, and what better place to do it in none other than one of the hockey capitals of the world, Holland! It is also noteworthy that this was the first ever boys’ hockey tour at BGS, a step in the right direction for boys’ hockey. Pupils were able to develop their knowledge of the game and see what a professional environment looks like, by watching premiership Dutch hockey players, train and compete in matches. Many pupils of the group coming away from the tour said they had been inspired to push onto reach their next level back in Yorkshire. Well done to all involved.


South Africa Hockey tour– AUTUMN TERM 2019

The 2019 Hockey Tour to South Africa was intense, enjoyable and educational in equal measure.The girls who represented BGS Hockey on the trip were an absolute credit to the school and have developed a bond that is supporting them through the 2019/20 season, that couldn’t have been created by anything other than the shared experience which the tour has given them.

The tour was packed from start to finish with training, fixtures and cultural activities. Some of the main highlights for the girls were visiting the Robben Island, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City theme park, climbing Table Mountain, Aquila Game reserve and meeting with children from the Township.

The team were unlucky to lose three of the five games whilst on tour, particularly in the first fixture against Harlequins, Johannesburg. This game was an end-to-end battle in the last quarter but unfortunately, they missed out 4 to 3. However, the team played an outstanding game against Bergvliet High School after climbing Table Mountain only hours before showing true BGS resilience.

Thanks to the Hockey Parents’ Association for their fundraising efforts that supported us on tour and Mrs Leach for accompanying us.

Spanish trip– AUTUMN TERM 2019

On 28 October a group of 32 Year 10 and 12 pupils travelled to the region of Murcia to take part in a full immersion course at the Arbolar Centre. The Spanish instructors at the centre led a wide range of engaging activities which included daily Spanish lessons, Latin dance, a cooking session and water sports, amongst others. The entire programme was conducted in Spanish and our pupils benefited from this linguistic immersion whilst soaking up the Spanish culture with a visit to a local market and the naval city of Cartagena. The group was praised by the Spanish instructors, who commented on their commitment and good understanding of the language as well as their positive approach to the subject. This trip provided an excellent opportunity to all involved to build on their language skills whilst working in a very relaxed and friendly environment.

Vecht racing in the Netherlands– AUTUMN TERM 2019

We took a large group of 20 pupils for our annual four-day training camp in October. Impressively the Junior 15 double scull (Hawthorne/Burns) won the J16 category against Dutch competition and the J15 Quad scull finished second. All pupils proved the benefits of this trip with performances improving with every outing on the water, something that the British weather conspired against for the rest of the Winter.

Journey to Ainsdale Sands– AUTUMN TERM 2019

On 3 June 2019, we made our annual coach journey to Ainsdale Sands with the Year 12 biologists.In the Biology department, we are strong believers in first-hand experience of environments to promote understanding. At Ainsdale, we saw sand dune succession in action. The students could see that over many years bare sand could be transformed into a mighty oak woodland with the correct abiotic and biotic factors adapting the environment. Not only was this trip about taking the classroom outdoors but it was also a chance to complete one of the assessed practicals, which are a course requirement. The students collected data, drew kite diagrams and completed a biological drawing of sea holly.

Although hard work and resilience were required due to the windy conditions, no trip to the beach would be complete without an ice cream for the return journey.


“Inspired by his own Year 11 Battlefields Trip, three years earlier, Matthew applied for one of these

prestigious internships and is really enjoying the experience of helping visitors interpret the war

memorials and cemeteries around the Ypres area.

World War I Battlefields– AUTUMN TERM 2019

Historians touring the First World War Battlefields in October half term were privileged to have their own personal tour of Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium, from OB Matthew Cogan who is spending part of his gap year there as an intern for the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) before university. Inspired by his own Year 11 Battlefields Trip three years earlier, Matthew applied for one of these prestigious internships and is really enjoying the experience of helping visitors interpret the war memorials and cemeteries around the Ypres area. The 2019 Battlefields Tour also held a special ceremony in St Georges Garrison Church, Ypres for the dedication of a plaque to the 219 OBs who died in the First World War, and to Sir Fabian Ware, a former BGS schoolmaster who was instrumental in setting up the CWGC during the First World War.

Amazon UK Business trip– SPRING TERM 2020

By D Pullen, Head of Business

Students studying A Level Business gained valuable insights into how your Amazon orders are processed and delivered, when they visited the Amazon Fulfilment Centre in Doncaster, one of more than 175 worldwide.They enjoyed a tour of one of the four Amazon warehouses located at the site which was over 800,000 square feet in size. Students followed the products as they were delivered to the site, stored, and then redistributed to locations across the North of England. Amazon staff led the tour, explaining Amazon’s background and how technology was used on the site, and then provided an opportunity for the students to ask questions, before they left with their own Amazon souvenir plane or van!

Tudor London trip– SPRING TERM 2020

The Tudor monarchs rarely travelled north, so it fell on the History Department to take our students south to investigate how key sites can help us understand the nature of power and rule in the Sixteenth Century. Highlights included Hampton Court Palace, Henry VII’s chapel and Tudor tombs in Westminster Abbey, getting close up to the detail of the real Tudor portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, experiencing ship-board life on the replica of Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde, reading the graffiti left by high profile prisoners in the Tower of London and stopping off to see how Kenilworth Castle was remodelled for Elizabeth’s visit in 1575 – the furthest north she ever went.

Junior Ski trip – Bardonecchia, Italy– SPRING TERM 2020

February saw the ret urn of another successful Junior Ski trip, this time to the resort of Bardonecchia, in North West Italy. The students were treated to five hours of ski instruction per day and a programme of evening entertainment.

Whilst we were lucky to have beautiful blue skies, this unfortunately meant that powder snow was in short supply. This didn’t dampen the spirit of our students however, with every group making superb progress throughout the week. The return of ‘Master of Disaster’ proved to be a highlight of the trip, with recipients required to wear the ‘Disaster hat’ on the next ski day.

The students also had the opportunity to stay in the Olympic Village, the hotel which hosted athletes from the 2006 Olympic Games. Après-ski included activities such as ice skating, a disco and a film and pizza night.

Senior Ski trip – Killington, USA– SPRING TERM 2020

By James H, Year 13

The week-long Senior Ski trip to Killington was a fantastic success, led by and due to Mr Taylor, Mr and Mrs Thornton and Mr Darnbrough.Vermont’s Green Mountains were shrouded in a white veil of plush and powdery snow. Despite frigid and frozen weather, as temperatures dropped to -22 degrees, conditions were perfect for the skiers and snowboarder. A competition was run daily for the ‘Master of Disaster’ awards, the prize for which was being made to wear either a carrot or clown costume! This was won by whoever had befallen the worst fall. The trip was not, however, enjoyed on the piste alone – evening entertainment included an ice-hockey match, shopping challenge at Walmart, bowling, hot chocolate and a quiz night.


Children enjoy European Day of Languages celebrations . . . . . . . 94Local schools enjoy visit from bestselling children’s author . . . . . 94Annual Fashion Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94Open Science Lecture Series: ‘The Genomics Revolution’ . . . . . . 95


Events and Visiting Speakers

Events and Visiting Speakers

Children enjoy European Day of Languages celebrations– AUTUMN TERM 2019

Fifty-seven pupils from Menston Primary School enjoyed a morning of Modern Languages activities as part of the European Day of Languages celebrations in September. Pupils made a traditional German Schultüte (a gift given to children by their parents on their first day of school) and played the French game of ‘boules’. They learnt a song in Spanish, performed with actions at the end of the event and learnt facts about the Netherlands, in Dutch. Afterwards, all pupils had the opportunity to attend our European Market and spend their euros on games, activities and souvenirs from our French, German and Spanish stalls. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and the children went home with very happy memories of their morning at BGS.

Local schools enjoy visit from bestselling children’s author– AUTUMN TERM 2019

Youngsters from both BGS and local schools learnt the art of storytelling from bestselling children’s author Ross Welford.Cullercoats-born Welford, best known for his hit books ‘Time Travelling with a Hamster’ and ‘The 1,000-Year-Old Boy’, read from his books, and shared tips on developing characters and plots with pupils.

Welford’s visit forms part of an outreach partnership programme with the Ilkley Literature Festival. Many pupils from local schools met Ross and had their books signed! Schools included Gleddings, Baildon C Of E, Tranmere Park, Eldwick, Ghyll Royd, Westville House, Moorfield, Harden and Froebelian.

Open Science Lecture Series: ‘The Genomics Revolution’– SPRING TERM 2020

In November 2019, we welcomed Old Bradfordian and former urological surgeon Rik Bryan back to school to host the autumn term’s Open Science Lecture.Since the publication of the first human genome in 2001, a genomics revolution has ensued, accompanied by significant technological advancements in both hardware and software.

This revolution is transforming medicine, and nowhere more so than in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the field of bladder cancer, Rik and his team at the University of Birmingham are at the heart of these innovations and Rik delivered a very insightful lecture, entitled ‘The Genomics Revolution’, which inspired both students and grown-ups alike.

“Since the publication of the first human genome in 2001,

a genomics revolution has ensued ...

Annual Fashion Show– SUMMER TERM 2020

This year’s BGS Netball Parents’ Association Annual Fashion Show took place on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 March and had the theme of ‘Through the Decades’. The use of popular music, a creative stage setting and imaginative table decor, kindly created by ‘Your Event Solutions’, carried the audience on a journey from the 1960s right through to the current day. Our Year 12 and 13 student ‘models’ showcased merchandise from local retailers, and there were even some appearances from our Year 5 and 6 Clock House children.

It was brilliant to see how enthusiastic and eager the students, parents, retailers and staff were to get involved, and even better to have raised money for Brain Research UK and Tabby’s Trust.

A fun filled night was had by all and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all who were involved in making the show the success that it was.


Sporting Achievements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Girls’ team historic cross country win! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98BGS Swimming successes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Table tennis triumphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99U14 hockey girls make school history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Sport Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100Cricket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100Cross Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100Hockey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103Netball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Orienteering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113Rowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113Rugby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114Squash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Swimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125Table Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128


Sport


Table tennis triumphs– SPRING TERM 2020

BGS has had a busy term of table tennis with 30 pupils taking part in the West Yorkshire Schools Individual Championships, and four BGS teams taking part in the Zone Finals of the English Schools Teams Championships.Individually, Josh Poulsen (U19 boys) and Evie Davies (U13 girls) were winners and will represent West Yorkshire in the English Schools finals in April. This is the first year Josh has won, having competed in the competition for ten years. Shishir Shastry (U13 boys) was second with Ben Pickles (Year 7) losing in the semi-final.

Emma Meng, Eloise Baker and Holly Lainchbury were third, fourth and fifth in the U13 girls and James Bowmer and Zach Cansdale were third and fifth in the U19 boys.

In the team events, BGS faced tough opposition, particularly from Nottinghamshire. The U19 boys lost to Carlton le Willows, but finished second overall, qualifying for the Regional Finals in Blackburn.

The U13 girls defeated Newcastle-under-Lyme, lost to Toot Hill and drew with Carlton le Willows. Unfortunately, they missed out on qualification in a 4-4 draw equal on sets, but losing by only six points.

The U13 boys defeated Birkdale 6-2 but lost to Carlton le Willows in their group. They then unfortunately lost the semi-final 6-2 to Toot Hill.

The U19 boys went on to compete well in the Regional Finals, defeating Sandbach School 8-0 and Reepham School 6-2, but sadly lost to a strong St Mary’s College team from Hull 5-3.

This result places BGS in the top eight nationally.

U14 hockey girls make school history– SPRING TERM 2020

Champions of the North and National Finalists Bradford Grammar School U14 girls’ hockey team made history this season by being the first team to reach the National Finals of the Investec Girls’ Schools Championships. The journey of this competition started at The Grammar School at Leeds back in September 2019 in the West Yorkshire round, where they narrowly missed out on qualifying for Tier 1 by a mere goal, thus qualifying for Tier 2. (It is noteworthy that England Hockey define Tier 1 competitions for schools that contain National Age Group players).

Shortly upon the return from their tour to Rotterdam, the North East finals came about which turned out to be an easy stroll to qualification with the nice bonus of being crowned ‘North East Champions’. No more than two weeks later, the North Finals took place. The tournament was a tense affair, but the pupils held their nerve and performed brilliantly to break school history and confirm their spot at the National Finals.

On 2 March, the National Finals took place at Reading Hockey Club. For our first game, we played the team that ended up winning the whole competition – taking them until the last five minutes to score against us. For our second game, we were 2-0 down at half-time but dominated the second half to draw 2-2. We beat Wellingborough 1-0 for our following game, leaving us needing to win our final game by at least three goals against St. Georges, who also needed to win by five to make a medal match. Unfortunately, we lost 3-0 but fought very well.

The girls have done the school extremely proud – to reach this level of the competition and compete well in every game is outstanding. The U14s have made BGS school history!

BGS Swimming successes– SPRING TERM 2020

It was BGS’s turn to host the John Parry Relays and HMC schools’ event in the Adrian Moorhouse Pool towards the end of last term (November 2019). Ten teams were packed on to the poolside for this annual event, with the water overflowing onto the side of the pool because it could not handle the mass of the swimmers converging in it for warm-up!Back in 2018, the intermediate girls walked away with a trophy from this event. Most of these girls were back for more, this time ... as Seniors.

They got off to a flying start, as they thundered to a 25m lead in the heat in the 4x50m Medley (Grace Cogan, Rebecca Clynes, Naomi Calvert and Izzy Beaty). Whilst being hot favourites for the final, the girls did not hold back, each delivering a better performance in the final than the heat, lowering their overall time by a little over 1.5 seconds, and in doing so, not only winning, but dipping beneath the previous event record set by Bolton School in 2011!

Buoyed by their whitewash in the Medley Relay, the girls (Philippa Halse, Rebecca Clynes, Naomi Calvert, Izzy Beaty) once again cruised their way into the final as fastest qualifiers. The girls put the ‘pedal to the metal’ and produced four more blistering swims – dropping another second on their overall time. It was sadly not enough on this occasion to topple the record, but what is exciting is that the exact same team may get another crack at it next year!

Girls’ team historic cross country win!– SPRING TERM 2020

A team of four girls recently won the King Henry VIII Cross Country Relays, after being placed third last year. This highly prestigious competition, which takes place annually in Coventry, acts as an unofficial British schools’ championship. Phoebe Midgley, Amelie Lane, Rebecca Flaherty, and Emily Gibbins each completed legs through mud, and over tarmac, of just over two miles each, and despite being up against athletes who were as much as five years older, won the event with an impressive 30 seconds to spare.

This is the first time in the history of our very successful Cross Country Club that a girls’ team has won the race, which means that Bradford Grammar is now only the second school in the country to have won this competition in both the boys and girls categories. Amazingly, this relatively young team are already looking forward to defending their title next year!


Senior School and Sixth FormSport – Sporting Achievements




Sport Reports

Athletics

By G Morrison, Specialist Sports Coach (Athletics and Multi-Sports)

Unfortunately, our Athletics programme for this season did not get up and running because of the coronavirus outbreak. On the back of last season’s successes, the student athletes and I were really excited for a season that just wasn’t to be.Once again, BGS planned to host the Bradford Schools Athletics events. Along with these events, we were to also host the first inter school junior indoor athletics meet for the area.

These planned events were all postponed to next season and we very much look forward to the upcoming program.

Cricket

By S Kellett, Specialist Sports Coach (Cricket)

The 2020 pre-season had gathered real momentum when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.We had excellent numbers to sessions from Year 5 right up to the senior squad. The brand-new all-weather facilities provided a fantastic area to work in and enabled us to cover all aspects of the game – tennis ball drills to hard ball net sessions proved a real success.

The spring-like weather in January allowed us to practise outdoors and I remember tweeting a photo in one of the first sessions and counting an incredible 35 cricketers attending at lunchtime.

Girls cricket was gathering real pace also and a fixture list was being compiled which meant the school would have had 15 teams of boys and girls playing fixtures regularly.

My thanks and best wishes go to the Year 13 cricketers who were cruelly denied one final year wearing the baggy brown. Hopefully we can arrange a farewell fixture.

A special mention must be made to Henry S, Ollie S, Ollie O and Harry P for their commitment to the cricket club over the years. I hope they continue to enjoy playing at university and we hope to see all the recent leavers at the Old Boys (OB) fixture next season.

The planning starts again for 2021 and we only hope this season was a one-off never to be repeated!

Cross Country

By M McCartney, Lead teacher for Cross Country

BGS runners started the season in fine form in September, on a temperate West Yorkshire day, with two gold medals, two silver and two bronzes being awarded at the Bingley Harriers Schools’ Challenge. There were victories for Martha J in the Junior Girls and Rebecca F in the Inters. Amelie L was runner up in the Inter Girls, as was Alex F after a strong performance in the Senior Boys. Third places went to Phoebe M in the Junior Girls, and to Oliver P in the Intermediate Boys. Overall, there were lots of very impressive runs, and a special mention must go to Olivia F in the Junior Girls race, making her debut in school colours. After a start like this, it was clear that this was to be another highly successful season for the Cross Country Club.

Soon after, the team went onto Giggleswick for the English Schools’ Fell Running Championships. The weather, it has to be said, couldn’t have been more contrasting. Heavy rain made a tough

course even more of a challenge than usual – if you can imagine that! 2.6 miles in length and an ascent of 675 feet doesn’t do it justice. It was treacherous. Severe. And the descent was frightening. A parent described it as ‘suicidally steep’. In the Year 8/9 race, BGS left with two individual medals, with Martha taking silver, and Amelie bronze, and the girls (additionally comprising Rebecca and Phoebe) also took the team award. To be crowned English Schools’ Champions was a well-deserved reward for the bravery and competitive instinct on display.

The next significant fixture was the Regional Finals of the English Schools’ Cross Country Cup at Hull. The Junior Girls team, with Phoebe the first BGS runner home in third, were unlucky in narrowly failing to qualify for the National Finals. However, they should be commended on placing so high in the Regional Final stage. The Intermediate Girls team fared better by qualifying comfortably for the National Finals in Sheffield. Incredibly, they finished with three in the first four places: Emily G in second, Amelie in third, and Rebecca in fourth. They were backed up by great runs from Elsa F, Ellie D, and India B. This was the second year in a row that a BGS team has manged to make it to the National Finals and is a measure of what an unusually fine crop of athletes they are. To place this achievement in context, figures from the official organisers state that well in excess of a thousand schools were entered to compete in this age group – if we go back to the first qualifying rounds that took place across the country earlier in the season, before the numbers of schools were further whittled down by subsequent regional qualifiers. At the Finals themselves, the Intermediate Girls team finished third, only narrowly missing out on silver because the fourth scorer from the second placed school was slightly higher. Emily was the first BGS runner home in third place, thereby underlining her consistency when

competing in BGS colours, Rebecca was seventh, Amelie was 23rd and Elsa was fourth counter for the event in 83rd. Behind them, there were yet more gritty performances in support of the team from Ellie and India. So to think that only two schools from the whole of England are better is quite remarkable. Furthermore, two of the team, Rebecca and Amelie, were part of the Junior Girls squad that finished a fantastic second place in the National Final, in Ipswich, in that age group last year.

In terms of individual championships, there were several standout performances. First, at the Bradford Schools’ Championships at Northcliffe, where BGS took several

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Cross Country


victories, Rebecca picked up the Year 8/9 Girls title, closely followed by Amelie, Martha and Phoebe, with top-ten placings from Lizzie G (7th), and Elsa (8th). Emily led from gun to tape in the Year 10/11 Girls race, with Grace D running well to take silver. In the Intermediate Boys race, there was yet another Bradford title for Alex, with Oliver continuing to mix his cyclo-cross commitments in impressive fashion by taking fourth. Emma B showed what a talented runner she is when injury-free, by taking third in the Year 7 Girls competition, just ahead of Olivia. It is also worth highlighting the strength in depth on show in other races. And while space limits mention of names here, one wonders what they could achieve with a little bit more training? At the West Yorkshires in Leeds, it was another highly successful day. In total, 17 of our runners were selected to represent the City of Bradford and after the day’s competition, a total of eight runners were to be considered for selection to represent West Yorkshire at the English National Schools’ Championships in Liverpool. Grace was 11th in the Intermediate Girls race, and ahead of her, Emily continued her fine season in third. In the Junior Girls race, Elsa, in her first season running for the school, was an excellent 15th. And in front of her, the school placed five runners in the top eight. Martha won the race, closely followed by Rebecca in second, Amelie in fourth and Phoebe in fifth, and Lizzie gained the last automatic election place for the county. It was a tough day, in very windy conditions, and all BGS runners tried their absolute hardest throughout the competition. The performances on show very much summed up the attitude the boys and girls had shown all season, and that’s all we can ask.

And, so, we leave the best till last: the King Henry VIII Cross Country Relays. This highly prestigious competition, which takes place annually in Coventry, acts as an unofficial British Schools’ Championships. Virtually the same team had surpassed expectations (largely because they were, and are, such a young team), last season by finishing third. This season, the team of

Hockey

By D Birch, Specialist Sports Coach (Hockey)

It was another fantastic year for BGS Hockey with many memorable moments! Firstly, I would like to thank all players, parents, staff, groundsman, catering staff and beyond for all their hard work and commitment this season. Without their efforts, our sport would not be where it is today!We saw our U14s and U13s break school history in their own respective competitions; the U14s became the first hockey team to reach a National Final in an England Hockey event, and our U13s became the first team to reach the North Finals of an England Hockey Tier 1 competition. Well done to both teams on accomplishing such great achievements, you did the school proud! They are certainly two teams to watch in the coming seasons.

Our indoor teams competed very well at the England Hockey events this year, with our U16s girls missing out on qualification by a couple of places, making a real account of themselves after last years frustrations. Thank you to all 22 girls who committed to the 12-week indoor programme which included players from Years 8-11 in an U16 competition.

We saw our sport return to touring to Rotterdam, Holland, which also included the school’s first ever boys’ hockey tour, not forgetting the excellent South Africa Tour led by Miss Camp with the senior girls which set themselves up nicely for the 2019/20 season.

It was overwhelming to see so many boys take an interest in hockey this season: our U12s had 20+ pupils at every co-curricular session this season. We had pupils across all year groups pick up a stick for the first time, finding a passion for the game and committing to their school sport, which was fantastic!

We can’t forget the excellent Hockey Parents’ Association, who have worked behind the scenes constantly this year and certainly do not get the recognition they deserve. Thank you to all that have attended meetings, helped organise and run fundraisers, showing support by attending events, fixtures, donating equipment, etc – your help does not go unnoticed and we cannot thank you enough!

BGS Hockey has had one of its best seasons in school history and it is down to the pure passion and joy to all those involved – long may it continue and I hope those that have had a positive experience this year will look to inspire younger year groups to ensure they have a similar experience.

U12 GirlsThe U12s started their season against Rishworth and then Queen Margaret’s with the As earning two fantastic wins and the Bs a close loss and a strong win. The A team also participated in the Ewart Cup held at Barnard Castle where they competed against some of the strongest teams in the North. The rest of the season has seen both the As and the Bs compete in difficult fixtures against the likes of Ashville, Silcoates, GSAL, Stonyhurst, Wakefield Girls’ High School, St Bede’s Manchester and the BGS U12 boys’ team, where they have shown great determination and moments of real quality and game understanding. Away from fixtures, the girls have shown great commitment to co-curricular hockey with many attending before-school clubs weekly and over 30 different girls attending lunchtime clubs regularly over the course of the season. The girls are always extremely keen to be on the hockey field and always have huge smiles on their faces when playing. This bodes extremely well for the years to come in which they will hopefully continue to develop their love for hockey and will stand a good chance of following in the footsteps of some of the older teams in the school who have started to be successful nationally.

U12 BoysThe U12 boys hockey team had a fantastic season, setting their standards for their BGS hockey journeys very early on – they will certainly be a team to watch in the future. The season started off to a flyer by the team winning their first three games comfortably with a variety of goal scorers. Archie Normington, captain, led the boys through the season and faced some time fixtures during the season against the likes of Ashville & Pocklington.

A mention must go to Ben P who has represented West Yorkshire Hockey in the England Hockey player pathway for the U14 age group, a real reflection on Ben’s hard work and attitude towards his hockey.

What is next for these boys? Next season will see the group enter their first England Hockey competition at U13 level. We are

Phoebe, Amelie, Rebecca, and Emily had the objective of at least repeating their finishing position from last year, but were mindful that one of them could well find themselves at the front of the race at some stage, and they, therefore, had to handle the pressure. Each completed legs of just over two miles each, through mud, and over tarmac, and despite being up against athletes who were as much as five years older, they were never outside the top five, and went on to win the event with an impressive 30 seconds to spare, after Emily moved into the lead with ease half-way through the final leg. This is the first time in the history of our very successful Cross Country Club that a girls team from BGS has won the race, which means that our school is now only the second in the country to have won this competition in both the boys and girls categories. Amazingly, very soon after the presentation took place to award their winner’s trophy, this relatively young team were already looking forward to defending their title next year!

I’d like to finish this annual report with a few personal notes. First, and this should come as no surprise to the reader given what I’ve written above, it continues to be a tremendous privilege to act as the teacher in charge of Cross Country. Not only do our runners consistently give their absolute best in training and racing, but they are rarely overly serious about it, and are very supportive and encouraging of each other. This is both a testament to them, and very much in keeping with the spirit, and long history of the Club.

I also wish to use this opportunity to thank the other teachers in the Cross Country Club: Dr Harris for her help with lunchtime training; Mr Alcock, for finding new and exciting routes over the quarry for our runners; Mrs Flaherty, not just for assisting with training sessions at lunchtime, but also with the logistics of getting us to races; and, last but not least, to the Head of Rowing, Mr Darnbrough, for his minibus driving – two visits to the King Henry’s in two years, and two trophies, so I very much hope he is able to offer us his services next year! Furthermore, our thanks must go out to the many parents, and other relatives, who have provided so much encouragement at races this year. I’ll say it again, without the support of these staff and parents, much of the success the Club has achieved this year would not have been possible.

Not only do our runners consistently give their absolute best in training and racing, but they are rarely overly serious

about it, and are very supportive and encouraging of each other.

“

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Hockey


U13 BoysIt was a challenging season for the U13s with commitment to two sports for some paired with very strong opposition, resulting in the boys having to remain calm and positive during big losses. They have shown good commitment and developed much needed knowledge of the game which has matured through the latter of the season. At the recent In2Hockey tournament, the boys were on top of their game beating GSAL and Kettlethorpe, along with an end to end battle with QEGS Wakefield which resulted in an 0-0 draw after numerous attempts. Unfortunately, Silcoates proved too strong for us which resulted in us not progressing to the next round.

In Saturday fixtures, a large group of boys have represented school and displayed good interest in developing their hockey skills and knowledge. A highlight for the B team was the fixture against Stonyhurst which they won 5-3 and a highlight for the A team was beating Pocklington 3-0.

Well done boys!

U14 GirlsWhat an exciting season the U14s have had, kicking off with their tier 1 England Hockey county round, narrowly missing out on qualification by one goal! Little did they know, at the time, this opened the door to a new journey!But before this journey, they made the trip to Rotterdam, for a five night tour, soaking up the Dutch hockey culture. The squad competed in three fixtures during the tour which contained two losses and a win, but the best part of the tour was building up a positive team culture which ended up being the pinnacle of their season’s success.

Upon return of the tour, the U14s had their North East finals which, looking back now, they breezed through but had the added bonus of being crowned North East champions by winning in the final on penalty shuffles.

Swiftly onto North Finals, where the group really found their stride and secured a place at National Finals through another tense penalty shootout and being crowned North Champions.

National Finals: this was school history to make it onto a national stage was an unthinkable thought at the start of the year. North teams are traditionally known as the ‘weaker’ schools at these competitions. BGS had other ideas by showing an account of themselves in every game, growing game by game and coming away with one win, a score draw and two narrow losses, finishing fifth in the country. A truly phenomenal season and definitely a team to watch as they have another four seasons of 11 a-side hockey at the school!

U14 BoysBefore the season, the boys went on tour to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. This saw them play in competitive games against Dutch opposition at one of the best hockey facilities in the world. This was a fantastic tour which every single one of them enjoyed immensely. Following Christmas, their school season started against Kettlethorpe High School which they won with a comfortable score line of 7-1, despite the fact that a number of the players had never played a game of hockey before! This was closely followed by a competitive 2-2 draw against Silcoates which the boys felt they should have won. Soon after, the boys competed in the County Cup at Weetwood in Leeds. The group stage saw the boys compete against St Peter’s, Silcoates, Hymers and Pocklington and they needed to come in the top two to make it through to the knockout stages. A win, two draws and a close loss were enough to see them come second and make it to a quarter final against QEGS. The boys narrowly lost

2-1, meaning they were extremely close to making it through to the North Round of the national cup. Later in the season, the boys played in games against Hymers, Ashville and Pocklington in which they competed strongly but didn’t get the result they deserved.

Overall, this season has been a great learning experience and has given them a foundation on which to build for the future. Their technique and game understanding has improved markedly. Furthermore, the more experienced players have shown great team ethic in helping the newer boys integrate and become important parts of a talented team and all boys have started to develop a supportive and positive culture which will go some way to helping them in future years.

U15 GirlsThe U15 squad have had yet another great year of hockey. As a team and individuals, they have demonstrated commitment and progression throughout the season. However, there are too many examples of the team just missing out by small margins, struggling not with ability, knowledge or fitness, but consistency and belief. This season, the U15s have lost five fixtures, and although losing games is frustrating, the team have had to acknowledge that they were more than capable of winning the vast majority of these fixtures. The same could be said of the National Schools competition, where despite not making it through the second round against RGS Newcastle, the girls

also currently reviewing whether to put an U16 Boys indoor programme together, which would certainly contain a handful of boys from this age group.

A truly entertaining season, well done to all who contributed!

U13 GirlsThe U13 girls had a challenging but rewarding season. The girls hit the ground running by doing some pre-season training during the summer holidays to set themselves up nicely for the season ahead. BGS had the privilege of hosting the England Hockey U13 In2Hockey county round this year. This turned out to be a main point in the U13 season as they went on to win the tournament, winning every game they played, consequently qualifying as champions for the first time in the school’s history – a huge achievement for the players, coaches and school.

Thus, brought on the challenge of the North East finals, hosted at Barnard Castle. The girls started the game brightly by beating a very strong St Olaves team 2-1 (a fixture they lost heavily in Year 7). Games came thick and fast throughout the day and the group grew in each game ensuring they took something away from each game. Overall, they finished second in the group and qualified for the North Finals, a first for BGS in a hockey tier 1 competition.

know that going forward to next season, they are aware of the priorities needed to achieve what they deserve.

A highlight for the squad this season has to be the 4-4 draw against GSAL at home, later in the season followed by a fantastic and well deserved 3-1 win away. We would like to thank all the girls for their hard work and commitment throughout the season both on and off the pitch; in training and being ambassadors for hockey around the school.

U15 BoysThe U15 boys hockey team has had a challenging season, regularly relying on younger age groups to make up numbers. Nonetheless, the improvement this group of hockey players has made in just 12 months has been remarkable and they have competed well in every fixture this season.The season started with narrow losses against Silcoates and Hymers, which was hard to take as it did not reflect on the performances from the boys. A special mention and thank you must go to the following boys for all their hard work and commitmment this season and I hope they continue hockey in the coming seasons:

William MLucas OCharlie DStanley PKrishan PJonty MConnor E

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Hockey

U16 GirlsThe U16s had a relatively quiet season during their GCSE year, but nonetheless they competed well during all their fixtures. We kickstarted our season in the England Hockey School Cup, tier 1 against our neighbours GSAL, which saw us bumped down into tier 2 after a heavy defeat.Since the first game, the group worked hard and were determined to not have a repeat of last seasons frustrations, getting closer to their much needed win. A narrow loss to Fallibroome Academy was hard to take but the group regathered and managed to see home a 1-0 win against Ilkley Grammar School. This set the group up nicely for their tier 2 match against Hill House which turned out to be a real end-to-end thriller. The game was tied 2-2 with 45 seconds to go, sadly seeing Hill House pinch a last gasp winner.

We also had the pleasure of celebrating some player successes outside of school hockey, where we saw Grace D continue her journey in the England Hockey Performance Centre, whilst Amy D also got the call up for her turn in the programme: fantastic achievements for both. We were also enthused to see Pippa T have a stick in her hand again, after the long road of recovery from her knee injury. Aisha Q also took umpiring in her stride and is now one of our most reliable umpires and has shown great commitment towards her school sport by giving something back to the lower age groups.

1st XI GirlsThis year’s 1st XI was led by National League player Freya B and contains some of the most competitive and gifted pupils from BGS. However, the results didn’t always go their way. They are a talented group of girls and I do believe that the number of losses may have been down to the lack of training that a small majority couldn’t attend due to busy school life and academic commitments, along with the ability to stay positive when faced with tough opposition. Although the girls lost out to some strong opposition in Pocklington and Greenhead, the team have played in several competitive fixtures throughout the season where the result could have gone either way. The team have shown good commitment and determination during the season and this was exposed in the last game, which was a great win against Rishworth, winning 3-0 with a fantastic drag flick from captain Freya B and other goals from Izzy M and Amy C.

Many happy memories have been made with this talented and friendly group of girls and I wish those girls who are leaving us the best of luck for their future.

We bid goodbye to the following 1st XI players and would like to take this oppourtunity to say thank you for all their efforts, time and commitment to hockey at BGS.

Freya BAlicia CIzzy MAmy CStella RNeesha KZainab YLucy HAstrid KGrace L

1st XI BoysThe boys 1st XI had a very light season, consisting of regular training, mixed fixtures with the girls’ 2nd XI and the odd boys’ fixture. BGS hockey would like to thank these boys for their commitment and effort throughout the season. The season kickstarted with a mixed game away against GSAL which was a very enjoyable fixture, with both teams getting plenty of chances to score. Sadly, GSAL beat us by a single goal.The marching on to a tough but competitive fixture against Hymers of 7 a-side pitches and 11 a-side. We hope to see these boys continue their commitment and effort to help inspire younger age groups to take up hockey as they progress through the school. Thanks goes to the following boys:

Lawrence WMax BWilliam CJacob WToby LJacob MThomas PThomas HSam Y

Indoor – Girls U16BGS entered the England Hockey Indoor competition for the second year running after being debutants last year. This year we only entered our U16s; the indoor had more of a performance element to it this year through invite only for players and a weekly training session to push for a more competitive status this season.The selected group trained very hard for the 12 week block, which also included one or two friendlies. We were confident going into the competition, despite having a range of ages in the programme. Results were mixed, starting the tournament strongly with a 3-3 draw against Wakefield GHS, swiftly followed by a 2-0 win against QE. This was already a huge improvement from last year which saw BGS go home pointless. The tournament progressed with the following results:

4-1L vs Yarm2-2 vs Hymers1-0W vs Hull Collegiate2-4L vs RGS Newcastle

This was a huge achievement for these girls and the school; it spoke volumes when other schools, who competed against us last year, were commenting on how much we had improved. Well done, to all 22 girls involved in the indoor programme.

Emily G (Captain)Naina KTia MRebecca FBea HLaura KEllie KAna CGrace DAmy D

Netball

U12 By A Smith, Specialist Sports Coach (Netball)

The Year 7s have had an extremely tough season this year with the number of losses significantly outweighing the number of victories. The girls, however, remained motivated and enthusiastic throughout and always gave 100 per cent effort when they took to the court.The introduction of Thursday night training and an increase in contact time propelled the rate of development for these girls and on several occasions provided them with the opportunity to play both with and against the U13s. Khan, Baker, Davies, Evans, Falkingbridge, Harvey, Crookes and many more massively improved their game knowledge and technical ability by attending the additional training, and following the first couple of sessions, were definitely starting to stand out in their fixtures.

Alongside Saturday fixtures, both U12 A and B squads were entered into the Bradford Schools League and for the U12A squad this is where they managed their first and only victory of the season against a strong Ilkley Grammar side. Following this victory, the girls were in high spirits and confident about the end of season Bradford Schools Tournament however, this was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We truly believe that you would have excelled at this tournament girls and we are sorry that you didn’t end the season the way you wanted.

The U12Bs, despite also having their season cut short, ended their year on a high with a respectable 8-4 win against Hymers and managed to gain two wins earlier in the season against Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall and Sedbergh Prep. Captains Emily T and Isabelle H with the help of several other strong characters on court including Evie S, Riya D, Emma B and Bella M have done a fantastic job in leading both teams through the season and keeping spirits high and smiles on everyone’s faces throughout.

We are very proud of these young athletes for their efforts this season and we are excited to get back to training come September.

Coaches’ Award Emily T – A teamIsabelle H – B team

Most ImprovedEloise B – A teamAlisha K – B team

Players’ PlayerRiya D

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Netball


U13 By A Smith, Specialist Sports Coach (Netball)

Following their initial pre-season training weekend and spending some time bonding with each other and me as their new coach, the U13s had a strong start to the season with the U13A coming away with an impressive 28-4 win and the U13B a remarkable 20-1 win against Stockport Grammar.For the A squad this was followed by two further Saturday victories against Wakefield Girls’ High School and Sedbergh Prep. From here, Saturday fixtures for this group of girls remained competitive and though suffering some near losses against strong Woodhouse Grove and Altrincham sides, a highlight of this season was their 19-11 win against GSAL, led by captain fantastic Olivia L.

The U13A squad were also entered into the Independent Schools National Cup and despite losing to a strong Oldham Grammar team in the first round, they were able to continue to demonstrate

their flair and athleticism in the Plate. The first round of the plate sent us away to Birkenhead and despite the long travel, the girls managed a 34-21 win and progressed to the quarter finals. Here we drew Wakefield Girls High and having played them earlier in the season, we knew it was going to be a closely contested game. Despite the unfortunate loss of Bea H and Martha J due to injury, the girls were in high spirits and impressive shooting from Samantha B and Penny B, some tireless through court play from Olivia L, Eva S and Maryam Q and numerous turn overs from Torey G and Megan E in defence, meant that the game finished in a draw and had to go to extra time. Unfortunately, we just missed out in extra time with Wakefield pulling away and taking a 26-21 win.

The U13B squad have had a mixed season with a similar number of wins and losses on the board, but improvements in game knowledge and skill development, nevertheless. Alongside their Saturday fixtures, this team were also entered into the Bradford Schools League where, on many occasions, they took to the court against A teams from opposing schools and managed to come away with the win on a number of occasions. This league also provided opportunity to those who unfortunately could not play Saturday fixtures and as a result, several debuts were made and a total of 21 girls taking to the court at some point in the season for this squad. Regular appearances included super shooters Tia M and Rose A, mid court players Maya B, Kallie C and Tamarai T and defenders Sophie T, Simran M, Priya G and Edidiong E, and following Torey G being called up to the A squad, Maya B did a fantastic job of stepping up and captaining these girls through the season.

At the end of the season, this group were entered into the Bradford Schools Netball Tournament and despite the bitterly cold, wet and windy weather, the positive team spirit and ‘never give up’ attitude that the girls exhibited, took them to first place with a clean sheet of wins. All girls who took to court for the U13 squads this season have represented their year group and the school well. A pleasure to watch and coach!

Coaches’ Award Samantha B – A teamMaya B – B team

Most ImprovedVictoria G – A teamKallie C – B team

Players’ PlayerRose A

U14By R Miller, Head of PE Qualifications

The U14s have used this season to rebuild after losing key players, and they have all worked with both drive and enthusiasm. The U14A team, captained by Amelia Atkinson, started their season on a high, finding themselves successful against Stockport Grammar School who have previously been too strong for them. A narrow defeat in extra time to Ashville College in the first round of the National Cup early in the season meant that they moved into the National Plate where they defeated Giggleswick School. The number of converted goals from turnovers this season was vastly improved with Annabel P continually hungry for the ball in the defensive circle complemented by Amelie B and Isobel H, linking and working together in the shooting circle. This was particularly noticeable in an exciting and nail-biting victory when the U14A scored the winning goal in the last second against Hymers College. Some fantastic performances this season – well done, girls.

The U14B team, captained by Emari T, had a difficult season and found competition challenging. As the season progressed, the desire and drive the girls in this squad had, was clear to see; to be competitive, put their newly learnt skills into match scenarios and to push for A team places. It was a delight to see Serena K and Pollyanna G make debuts in BGS colours to make up a solid centre court unit with Huda I, Florence H and Anu A. Narrow defeats to Stockport Grammar School, South Craven A and Hymers College for the U14Bs were encouraging and a highlight was a success against a strong Grammar School at Leeds side when they played with flair and desire.

In defeat, success is measurable on how competitive a team is with their competitors and every game this season for both squads have been highly competitive. I can’t ask any more from them than that.

A combination of both U14A and B teams went to the Bradford Schools’ Tournament and came out in first place. A fantastic achievement and a great opportunity for


the girls to practise playing in a range of positions and applying their wide knowledge to the game.

It has been a difficult season for both U14A and B squads with the A team in particular performing under par in the first round of National Schools’ Tournament; however, all girls have improved their skills and tactical play, in particular learning to play for each other. A season full of growth, development and perseverance. I very much look forward to seeing how this talented group progress further next season.

Coaches’ AwardAmelia A – A teamHuda I – B team

Most ImprovedIsobel H – A teamlaina A – B team

Players’ PlayerPollyanna G

U15By A Smith, Specialist Sports Coach (Netball)

Both U15 squads have had a very competitive year and have shown vast improvements throughout. The U15A squad had several impressive Saturday fixture victories including a 34-29 win against Altrincham Grammar and a 41-21 victory against Hymers. The increase in wins as the season progressed was undoubtedly helped by the return of Ramage from injury and the addition of Barnes to strengthen this squad. This group of girls are extremely talented, but despite their natural abilities, are very committed and hardworking and it is those characteristics which have moulded these girls into the top-class ‘team to watch out for’ that they are at present. The competition for positions is high amongst this group but every player is valuable and plays a part in this team’s success. This group, led by outstanding captains Anna R and Anna D, really came into their own towards the latter end of the season and the peak in performance has come at just the right time for this talented group of athletes as they enter their national schools year in September. We’re extremely excited to see just how far we can get.

The U15B squad dominated the Bradford Schools’ League playing against the A teams of local schools as well as showcasing their talents at Saturday fixtures including an impressive 31-4 win against Hymers to close the season. Regular appearances for this group included captains, Olivia T, Aliza A and Anamaria H, but again, the competition for a place was high and as a result a total of 13 players took to the court for this team at some point throughout the season.

This group have been fantastic to coach, working extremely hard, perfecting every skill and continuing to smile and have fun, even after Monday night’s gruelling fitness sessions!

Coaches’ AwardOlivia B – A teamAnamaria H – B team

Most Improved Elissa H – A teamLucy B – B team

Players’ PlayerLucy B

As is often the case at U16 post-Christmas, other schools struggle to field teams with GCSEs looming and we suffered cancellations, particularly the B team. However, with wins for the As against Hymers and Stonyhurst, despite the loss of Grace Cogan (GA) to injury and a respectable narrow defeat to GSAL and draw versus Stonyhurst for the Bs, we were ready to finish the season off in style in the last game of the season against Ashville. This, for some, was the final game of their BGS career and then … there was COVID-19 which ended the season abruptly and caused the postponement of the South African Tour.

I would like to say to the girls, I am sorry that the final season for this squad couldn’t end in a way which you deserve. Thank you for all your efforts, endeavour and good company this year; good luck to those who are moving to pastures new, and for those that remain, I cannot wait to see you return to training as seniors when netball finally returns!

Coaches’ AwardZahra H – A teamMaddie N – B team

Most Improved Anuli O – A teamAmber K – B team

U16By G Jones, Head of Junior School PE & Games

This season for the U16s has been characterised by a great squad mentality and sense of fun, hard work, success, disappointment, injury and an unexpected end.Zahra H and Philippa H were captaining the A and B teams respectively with Isobel B and Maddie N assisting as vice. Zahra and Maddie arguably had the greatest personal achievements of the season: Zahra being selected for Leeds Rhinos Futures Academy and Maddie making the step up to A team netball and making her National Schools’ Competition debut. Both achievements are a result of hard work, dedication and love for the sport.

Both A and B squads started the season well with two good wins against Stockport, the As then consolidating with a win against Queen Ethelburga’s in the National Cup. They then remained unbeaten whilst clinching the title at the West Yorkshire Invite Tournament, a tournament hosted at BGS, showcasing our new ‘barn’ facilities and highlighting the commitment the girls have to the school netball club, as many of the B team and senior netballers ran refreshments and supported the girls on the day.

The girls continued to flourish through the first months of the season, with wins over Woodhouse Grove for both squads and against Ilkley 1st & 2nd VII for the B team. Although missing captain Zahra (called up for Leeds Rhinos), and narrowly losing to Altrincham Girls’ the weekend preceding the 1st round of National Schools’, we felt both well prepared and optimistic. Sadly, these hopes were not realised as the team performed well under par on the day and failed to qualify. Performance drastically changed in the 2nd round of the National Cup against South Hunsley. The quality in this game was astounding from both teams for U16 level netball, epitomised by match shooting stats of above 85 per cent; the game just got away from us in the final quarter, ending 41-45, and thus ending our cup run.

Seniors 1st VIIBy A Smith, Specialist Sports Coach (Netball)

There are three words I would choose to describe this year’s BGS first team: competitive, committed, and capable. Senior trials this year were difficult, as the competition for positions was strong. A total of eighteen girls took to the court at some point throughout the season for the first team, ten of these included debut appearances from our year twelve players. Regular appearances though included Georgia R (captain), Jaya K (vice-captain), Glesni J, Victoria E, Eve M, Eva L, Ella M, Eve W, Melody S and Elizabeth H. Everyone who represented the first team this season demonstrated the inspiring ethos that we expect from our first team netballers.

A highlight from this season would have to be beating GSAL 28-24 after losing to them the first time we played them 23-24. This is always a huge achievement for us and one that on this occasion our girls deserved and had worked extremely hard for.

It was also rewarding to finish the season with a strong 34-16 win against Hymers. The video footage from this game was proof that it was our brilliant skill acquisition, teamwork, effortless ball flow and timing through court that saw us take this win, elements we had been working hard to string together all season.

This season also saw our girls travel to Leeds Beckett University, experiencing what a sporting Wednesday at university is like and playing against a mixture of all four Leeds Beckett University teams, including several Leeds Rhinos Netball Academy players. A total of twenty BGS Senior netballers travelled to Leeds Beckett, Headingley campus and often played with players they were not used to playing with. A fantastic experience for our girls to see the jump in level from A-Level to university standard of playing and something that a number of our girls chose as their highlight from this season on their feedback forms.

“This group have been fantastic to coach, working extremely hard, perfecting every skill

and continuing to smile and have fun ...



Seniors 2nd VIIBy R Miller, Head of PE Qualifications

The 2nd VII, captained by Amber M is one of the strongest we’ve seen at BGS for as long as staff can remember, and they didn’t disappoint this season with their hard work, commitment and flair for the game. A newly reformed group that didn’t take long to gel and who were too strong for opposition Stockport Grammar School, Woodhouse Grove, Stonyhurst, Greenhead and the Grammar School at Leeds. A total of 19 girls represented the 2nd VII this season which shows the talent within the seniors this season. A desire and need to set up a defensive wall on a centre pass and to use the zone whenever possible, ensured they applied the maximum pressure to their opposing teams. They are a squad that worked well with each other and had natural flair throughout the court, linking together particularly through the centre court. A narrow defeat to RGS, Newcastle 33-39 brought their season abruptly to a close as COVID-19 changed our plans shortly after.

A wonderful season completed albeit a little early but a delightful group of girls to work with. Thank you for all your hard work this season. I wish all the Year 13s the best of luck when they move on to pastures new.

Orienteering

By D Alcock, Orienteering Coach

In this curtailed year for orienteering, we still managed to pull off some great achievements.The highlight of the year was winning the club’s first national team trophy! The Year 7 boys team of Henry S, William C R and Harry W were crowned Champions at the British Schools Orienteering Championships, which were held in Black Park, Slough, in November. Henry and William also managed top ten individual positions; several other keen Year 7 pupils also competed, meaning that the future of the club looks bright.

The Year 8 boys team of Edwin V L, James W and Benjamin P secured fifth place, and were it not for one mis-punch, the Year 8 girls team of Evie D, Clara M and Tilly T would have been third! Emily G and Tom T gained some useful experience – and in Tom’s case, a top ten finish – in the tougher courses set for older pupils. We hope that we can do even better in next year’s championships!

We were building up to a chance to show our mettle at the Yorkshire and Humberside Schools Championships, but COVID-19 put an end to that. However, undaunted, Tom, Emily, and Rebecca F dominated the top three junior slots in the Airienteers ‘Map Run’ summer league races: these events had week-long start windows and relied on smartphones to register completion of courses. Tom and Emily have also been training with the select Yorkshire and Humberside Junior Orienteering Squad.

I am also very proud of the pupils who turned up for the fortnightly lunchtime sessions, regardless of the weather conditions, and of those who continued to train during the lockdown period. Many thanks should also go to the teachers who helped at fixtures and practices.

Fingers crossed that we will have more time in the woods next year. Once more unto the beech (and oak and ash), dear friends!

Seniors 3rd VIIBy A Smith, Specialist Sports Coach (Netball)

Most of this season’s 3rd team fixtures were comprised of Bradford Schools League games with a Saturday fixture against Woodhouse Grove in November. This game was very closely contested and finished in a respectable 30-26 win to Grove. Despite the loss, our girls demonstrated exciting ability and team cohesion and went on to beat Titus Salt 18-9 in the Bradford Schools League. Many of our girls in this team were called up to play for the 2nd VII at some point in the season; a fantastic achievement and credit to their hard work and willingness to learn and improve.

Led by captain Emily C, this team has worked particularly hard all season, training and playing out of their comfort zones against our own 1st VII and 2nd VII teams and those from other schools. Improvements were made by all players including Daya D, Mahum S, Grace L and Gowri K and it was refreshing to see the vast progression made by Sian S who only joined the School in September.

Following an abrupt and unexpected end to the season, we would like to take this opportunity to wish our Year 13 netball players who are leaving us this summer all of the luck in the world and we would like to say thank you for your commitments to the netball club and for inspiring our next generation;

Georgia R 1st VII CaptainJaya K 1st VII Vice CaptainAmber M 2nd VII CaptainEmily C 3rd VII CaptainElla MMelody SEve WElizabeth HLily RAriana GGrace L

Coaches’ AwardMelody S 1st VIILily R 2nd VIIDaya D 3rd VII

Most Improved Victoria E 1st VIIMadigan D 2nd VIISian B K S 3rd VII

Players’ PlayerAmber M

Overall ContributionGeorgia R

I am very proud of the pupils who turned up for the

fortnightly lunchtime sessions, regardless of the weather

conditions ...

“Rowing

By S Darnbrough, Specialist Sports Coach (Rowing)

The school year 2019/20 will go down in history as the year when competition came to a grinding halt. The Boat Club entered only three events which all came in September when we had only just returned to school following the summer break! These where the Bradford Autumn Regatta, Boston Marathon and the Vecht Race in the Netherlands. After this, both the autumn and spring terms saw all further events cancelled due to extremely wet weather conditions and rivers being too high to row on. Following on from this, coronavirus struck, unfortunately ending competition for the rest of the year.

This was a massive disappointment, as the potential crews that should have represented the school would have been the best for some time, but hopefully, when the world begins to returns to ‘normal’, these crews will be able to show just how good they are.

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Orienteering/Rowing


Rugby

U12ABy N Hindle, Graduate Sports Assistant (Rugby)

It was a tough start in September with fixtures starting early for many who hadn’t touched a rugby ball prior to arriving at BGS. The boys narrowly lost their first few matches to local opposition, Beckfoot and Crossley Heath. Some early promise was shown, with good ball handling and running skills. They soon came up against a strong and experienced Birkdale team who dominated the fixture amassing a score line of 10-30. Three weeks into term, on 22 September, was the trip north to the Tait 10s’ tournament at Barnard Castle School. Two defeats and a win against the hosts left Bradford in third place of group stages to play another three games. The team struggled with injuries but pushed on against strong schools as they drew 20-20 with the mighty Sedbergh. Will E and George L in particular had stand-out performances in this match.

The team was now starting to work together as they began to understand each other and the importance of playing key roles in individual positions. Next up was St Peter’s York at home. This was a particularly tough game as St Peter’s went 20 points up very quickly. However, tries from Raman A and Will E dragged Bradford back into it. The boys just lost but were showing more fight, an improved level of skill and understanding of the game.

Three more tough games followed against Hymers, GSAL and Dame Allan’s. The boys were desperate for a win, which finally came against Stonyhurst. Stan D had one of the stand-out performances, with hard tackling and fast running which he carried over to the next fixture against QEGS. Henry N also was really beginning to show promise in this match as a newcomer to the sport.

The following match away at Ashville in horrendous conditions showed the boys grit their teeth and put in a winning performance. The game ended 25-15 and the lads came off cold and muddy but smiling with Henry H leading the team. Will E and George L began to combine and develop their kicking game, as they looked at the game from a more tactical angle. The final game was at home against Hymers and was a great finish to the term, ending in a 55-20 win and a real marker on how far they had come. Tries came from Stan D, Archie H, Will E, Henry N and Raman A.

U12BBy N Hindle, Graduate Sports Assistant (Rugby)

The B team had an exciting first term of rugby. For most, this was their first experience of rugby. Like the A team, the Bs found it hard at the start, as they played some strong schools. However, they kept smiling and kicked on as the term progressed. They had draws twice against Hymers, and away at Crossley Heath. Some boys had excellent performances and were rewarded with A team selection. Ben P; Adam W; Joel D; Oscar A; Yousuf A; Gurdaas S and Harry T all had good stints with the As, whilst Sam C and Henry N started off in the B team, and developed in the A team regulars with hard work, and regular attendance at rugby training. This group had good team spirit and always wanted to play more when the match had finished. Hopefully everyone will keep playing with the same enthusiasm, going into Year 8.

U12 Seven-a-sideBy N Hindle, Graduate Sports Assistant (Rugby)

BGS had some good results in the 7’s season and played some exciting rugby. The first tournament was at home, with over 30 boys desperate to play for both the A and B team. The As started well with a win against Barnard Castle and a draw with Pocklington. They eventually finished third in group. The B team had over 14 players play in their fixtures. Everyone had a go and nearly everyone had never played seven-a-side rugby before and enjoyed the new experience.

Tournament two saw the more experienced boys play in the Macclesfield Sevens tournament. Unfortunately, BGS lost the first two games to Stockport and a very strong Calday Grange team. They beat Mount St Mary’s which put them in the third-place group stage. They then lost to Haberdashers’ Abraham Derby, beat Scarsbrick Hall scoring four tries and drew with King’s School Worcester.

On 5 March, the B (development) team took part in the highly competitive St Olave’s tournament. This is traditionally a school A team tournament, but the boys were very keen to play. The group stage was very tough as they played Harrogate Grammar, RGS Newcastle and Pocklington. A fourth-place play off group followed, where they narrowly lost to Barnard Castle, and had an exciting 10-10 draw with Terrington Hall. Performances of the day came from Ben P and Oscar A, as they showed good leadership. Adam W played at scrum half and Tom P made some great tackles and strong running throughout. A special mention is required for Eisa A, who scored his first ever BGS try. Hopefully the first of many!

The final tournament on 12 March at Hymers was an opportunity to put it all together in front of head of rugby, Mr Scarbrough. BGS were unlucky in the first game, as a last second try resulted in a draw against the hosts. They lifted their game soon after with an amazing 25-20

win over RGS Newcastle (eventual tournament winners). This was followed by wins against Barnard Castle and Rishworth. The last game was just lost by two tries to Pocklington. This meant a 3rd place play off with a powerful Durham team. Despite BGS scoring two tries, Durham took 3rd place. This tournament certainly showed how well the team had developed and was a great way to finish the rugby season. Well done Year 7!

U13 Rugby By G Morrison, Specialist Sports Coach (Athletics & Multi-Sports)

It was a successful season for the under 13s rugby squad this year.After a tough season last year, the main aim was to develop the skill set and build the confidence of a group which is relatively small in number but full of passionate individuals.

The season started off well and two good victories saw the boys hit the ground running. However, with numerous lunchtime co-curricular options to juggle, the squad struggled to get the consistency in training numbers to be able to work on the team elements of the game. This resulted in three early tight losses in a row, with the latter being a 25 to 30 loss against Hymers away after some strange and frustrating decisions by the man in the middle. However, this loss seemed to be the catalyst to kick start their campaign and knowing they had to play Hymers again in the last game of the season, a new goal was set.

After some help and guidance from the senior rugby boys who dropped into training to help, encourage and rally around the group, numbers at training increased and their team game and culture began to develop.

The fixture against Dame Allan’s showed a new wave of enthusiasm and the boys came away with a massive 55 to 5 victory, the defence holding solid on numerous occasions. After this game, the penny seemed to drop, the confidence returned and the team went on to record five wins from their last six games of the season, amassing 265 points whilst conceding only 35 points in the process. This was a testament to their enthusiasm and competitiveness to defend their line and attack with no fear.

The last game of the season arrived against Hymers, which offered the opportunity to show how far the team had come. Every player arrived ready; the team spirit was evident to see in the warm up which led to a superb whole team performance. They finished the match and a successful 15-a-side season scoring nine tries to Hymers’ none, showing how good they really could be.

The confidence and skill the team showed was lauded by parents and supporters on the side-line who seemed happy at how far they had developed as a group and how much everyone was looking forward to the sevens season ahead!

“This group had good team spirit and always wanted to play more ...

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Rugby


U14 RugbyBy M Wilde, Head of PE Outreach

This season, a total of fourteen games have been played at A and B team level. Despite being one of the smallest squads that I have worked with during my time at BGS, what the squad lacked in numbers, they certainly made up for in commitment, enthusiasm and pride in representing this great school. The A XV won two thirds of their fixtures and Mr Nabozny’s mighty B XV remained unbeaten in five games! Over the course of the season, I have been pleased with the development of the squad’s individual skills, but moreover, they have responded positively to my expectations both on and off the field, matured significantly and consequently have become very enjoyable company.

The season started away at Ampleforth College, which is always a tough place to go and this game was no exception. SHAC relied heavily on two big ball carriers whilst BGS showed a little more team cohesion in trying to alter the point of attack. Typically, in the first game of the season, technique was a little rusty and our support play wasn’t quite up to standard. That said, there was much that was positive, and the boys secured a thoroughly deserved win on the balance of play.

We welcomed a passionate and bulked up Crossley Heath XV eager to avenge last year’s heavy U13 defeat the following week. Unfortunately, our defensive desire was below par in the first half and that gave Crossley Heath too easy a foothold on the game, which they took full advantage off. The boys performed much better in the second half but had left themselves too much to do in terms of the final result.

A great start, an indifferent period either side of half time but a super finish was just enough to see us to a victory away at

Stonyhurst College. A lack of support and composure whilst in possession gifted the opposition easy turnovers, a string of penalties and territory. Having played all the rugby a well-earned and deserved 0-21 lead was eroded to 21-24 with ten minutes left to play; I suspect Stonyhurst could hardly believe their luck. However, credit to the boys under the pressure of a home crowd, they responded to score the final try of the game to secure the win.

Whilst the result against Hymers College was never in doubt; this contest was a much closer encounter than the score line suggested. The tackle area was keenly contested as was scrum time. Thom S, Beau M and Elis J were particularly impressive for BGS and caused Hymers problems all afternoon. When we gave the ball away cheaply, Hymers punished us showing that they could score themselves when gifted with opportunity. Despite working hard on making our opponents earn possession during training, a similar pattern emerged the week after against Birkdale. Whilst I was absolutely delighted that twenty-one boys had represented the A XV that day, our continued generosity at giving the opposition the ball back didn’t bode well for the bigger tests to come.

Tests locally these days don’t come much bigger than GSAL. A super game and overall a great team performance; albeit in defeat against a physical GSAL XV. Leeds dominated possession and territory early on but the BGS defence held out and in our first meaningful attack, we opened the scoring and held on to 7-5 lead at half time. Improved BGS decision making at the break down ensured we had plenty of numbers in the defensive line and consequently we looked good without the ball. Our improved attacking shape regularly got us over the gain line but unfortunately several unforced errors gifted GSAL possession and they took full advantage dotting down four times from turnovers in the second half. Yusuf Z scored twice after good blindside work from number eight Thom S, but the damage was done. The score line slightly flattered GSAL at full time, they were deserved winners, but this contest really could and should have been a closer affair.

The half term concluded with a trip to the North East and a first for me with a fixture versus Dame Allan’s Schools. Dame Allans’ physical and abrasive approach proved very effective and deservedly kept them in the game. BGS showed great composure in the final seconds, reproducing their own 2003 World Cup moment. Holding onto possession and gaining territory, substitute Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal for Elis J scoring a try under the posts, converted by Will B and you can imagine the euphoria in a 26-29 victory!

Sadly, for various reasons we only managed two games after half term. Our away trip to QEGS Wakefield was a very competitive game that could have been won by either side. On the full-time whistle, QEGS had led the game once, had made fewer errors than BGS and on this occasion took the spoils. BGS were particularly impressive attacking from set piece but found it difficult to break through a resolute QEGS defence in open play. Ben Hubbard was outstanding in defence, turning over several QEGS players in probably the best game I have seen him play in a BGS shirt to date.

The XV aside season concluded on a high by completing the double over a much improved Hymers College side. A positive first half really demonstrated the progress the squad had made over the course of the term and it was fantastic to send our lineout maestro, Ginger One, off with a win, even if we didn’t quite manage to conjure up a try for him in his last game.

After Christmas, our focus switched to the abridged version of the game. I was delighted that much of the squad stayed together and both lunchtime and Saturday morning sessions were well attended. In preparation for the National Schools’ Competition at

Rosslyn Park, we had a number of tournaments planned and enjoyed good hit outs at both Pocklington and Durham School before the C-19 situation began to develop into lockdown.

At the end of the season, my thanks: Mr B Nabozny, in his dual role as squad conditioner and B XV coach. Mr D G Scarbrough and Mr G A Morrison for their support, insight, creativity and distraction. The Estates team and Catering team for the provision of the excellent playing facilities and quality refreshments we enjoy here at BGS. The dedicated band of parents who support both teams and the rugby club so loyally and of course all the boys, too numerous to mention individually here, who work so hard and give up so much time in representing this great school. I wish them all well for the future and record my heartfelt thanks for such an enjoyable season!

U15A RugbyBy R Kirtland, Rugby Coach

The U15s had a mixed season against some tough opposition, the main difference being in the size of some of the teams we came across. When coming to BGS and being appointed to coach the U15 squad, I was quickly impressed by the strong numbers we got both in games lessons and training sessions; being able to pick two squads out of 46 boys was a luxury that other teams did not have; made possible by the eagerness to play shown by this year group.

With only a couple of Games lessons to get some initial patterns before our first game at Ampleforth, the first game of the season was upon us. This was exciting for myself, as I had heard good things about the U15 boys and was looking forward to seeing them play free, open rugby before we focused on tailoring their skills and tactics. Unfortunately, we lost the game narrowly 17-25, but the boys showed potential for the season ahead.

The boys seemed to improve week on week, taking on what we had done throughout the week and applying it into game day on Saturday. Soon the boys were playing with similar patterns to the 1st XV, University, and academy sides.

The most notable victory that stands out is the away win at Stonyhurst College. With a key player in Redford Holdsworth getting seriously injured when scoring a spectacular try, and another long stoppage due to an opposition injury, the odds were against us. Boys were having to play out of position against a well organised Stonyhurst side, but this didn’t seem to impact upon the Bradford boys’ willingness to play. The game ended 45-33 in favour of BGS; a true Hoc Age attitude was shown that afternoon.

Stats for the 15s season ended with six wins, six losses, and one draw (Hymers away where the score was 0-0, a first for myself and I’m sure for the boys!).

We had a strong forward pack this year, with some extra fire power added by new recruits Milan S and Alexander G. This made team selection a tough but enjoyable task. The forwards took to the new skill of lifting in the lineout well, with Sam B proving to be a natural in the set piece. The front row combination of Adhi C, Hugo S, Ismaeel A, and Abdul-Rahim T proved to work well as there was a good balance of brute strength, ability to get around the park, and Abdul’s ability to take down boys twice his size! Hassan Q had a good consistent season being able to cover both lock and number eight. Special mentions in the forwards go to Morgan H and Seamus N. Morgan worked incredibly hard every game and always impressed; this hard work earned him a spot in the Yorkshire ERDPP development squad. Seamus improved rapidly as the season went on, beginning in the 2nd XV and finishing as a starter for the 1st XV with a few man of the match performances; well done, Seamus.

The backline was a dangerous one with Will O and George at the helm, taking the co-captaincy for the season. These two boys had an outstanding season, proving why they are involved in the ERDPP squad and showing great promise for the future years of BGS senior rugby. Charlie M showed himself to be consistent in performance throughout the season,


giving us strength in the centres supported by a back three combination of Joseph H, Ammar S, Nikhil G, and Ishaq A who all improved on their understanding of the game and their roles within it. A special mention goes to Will B who proved to be a valuable member of the squad as he could play in both the back and the forwards. Will played with great passion and did the jobs others were not willing to; from a coach’s perspective this is an invaluable trait in a player. Gus M proved to also be a utility back, covering both scrum half and full back. He always played and trained with a smile on his face.

This season was an extremely enjoyable one due to the effort the boys put into their willingness to learn, improve, and enjoy themselves. I wish them all the best in the future and hope watch them playing for the 1st XV from the side-line very soon!

U15B RugbyBy S Kellett, Specialist Sports Coach (Cricket)

The U15 Bs enjoyed a competitive season both in training and in fixtures with opposing schools. Although the results didn’t quite match the efforts shown by the boys with a number of narrow defeats, the ethos of Mr Scarbrough’s development plan for teams is firstly to enjoy the game and thereafter to improve, to play at the highest level they can achieve.

A number of boys made a team selection and have really progressed as a result. Tom D, Seamus N, Kai D, Hakim H, Niall T are prime examples of boys who showed real progression.

One disappointing feature which was out of our hands was the number of opportunities to play. There were numerous reasons for matches not going ahead but to their credit, it never dampened their enthusiasm.

The Bs got a taste of things to come when we entered the White Rose festival at Keighley RUFC competing against other schools first teams. Although beaten, the boys were far from disgraced!

We look forward to the upcoming season and hope that this keen group continue in the same regard as they move into senior rugby!

U16 Rugby By O Rogers, Director of Sport

The U16 squad was made up of a healthy 24 players this season with all being able to represent the School throughout the season. This group of players has really come a long way in the last couple of years and it has been amazing to see how they have developed their ability on the field of play. The performances that the boys have produced were far beyond the expectation from the beginning of the season. Scoring lots of points in the first game really helped to give the boys confidence for the more challenging games ahead. They broke the gain line at will and supported the ball carrier to ensure the ball stayed alive.

We had three close games against Crossley Heath, Stonyhurst and QEGS Wakefield. All of these games were played in very uncompromising styles with neither team willing to give an inch. The Bradford boys on the whole defended well by getting off the line early and applying pressure on the opposition. Although the squad have developed their understanding and ability to attack, it was difficult to outscore the opposition under pressure. Certainly two of these games could have gone either way and it is real testament to the development of these boys that they were all highly competitive.

The highlight of the year, voted for by the boys themselves, was the final game of the season. Having played the opposition back in September and being comprehensively beaten, we hosted them in the return fixture with nothing to lose. A simple game plan and an uncompromising approach meant the boys created opportunities to score and denied the opposition. The game finished as a draw with Zachi S and Armaan M scoring the tries.

Special mentions for: Harun M for his physicality in the contact area; Archie H for his unbelievable tackle technique; Rahul M and Reuben T for their work rate on the field and commitment to the squad; Joe F’s vision and eye for space, Lewis B’s pace and agility in attack; and finally, Jacob O for his captaincy and leadership skills. He led by example in training and matches for all the boys to follow. I would like to wish all the boys the best of luck for next year as they move up to the senior squads. You are more than ready, and I hope you continue to work hard and enjoy your rugby.

2nd XV Rugby By D Pullen, Rugby Coach

This was a very good year in many ways for the 38 boys who represented BGS 2nd XV. A winning record is always a good thing, but it would have been even better if they had not had a number of fixtures cancelled when the opposition could not raise a team. The 2nd XV squad was a real mix of both sixth form age groups and later in the season the U16s bolstered the squad as they prepared for their move up to senior rugby. They were competitive in every fixture and never let themselves down, playing in the right spirit of the game: hard, fair, and as a team.

They began the year with a tight win over Ampleforth after playing some very entertaining rugby. Ampleforth were bigger and more physical, but it was BGS who deserved the victory with their more expansive game and two tries for Shaan A. This was followed with another close result over Stonyhurst in which they missed out on a number of try scoring opportunities. The lighter BGS pack worked tirelessly to provide the backs, ably controlled by Captain Alastair C, with a good platform from which to attack and they were close to increasing the winning score line.

The trip to GSAL did not go as expected with some poor decision-making in the BGS half, resulting in tries for the home team. BGS had opportunities but failed to capitalise, whilst good field position and the occasional missed tackle helped GSAL build a commanding lead that the visitors were unable to overturn, despite the continued excellent work of the backrow threesome of Matthew L, Freddie S and Jasper L. BGS were however able to fully display their ability in the victory over Dame Allan’s. A hat-trick for U16 debutant Lewis B helped produce a dominant display with some outstanding rugby from everyone involved and this was continued at Giggleswick where the highlight was the 60-metre score from galloping giraffe Lex G.

BGS were unfortunate in their next fixture against oldest rivals QEGS, with the only try coming from a high ball that bounced comfortably into the hands of a QEGS player but could have gone the other way. The visiting side were again bigger and tried to dominate with a one up style of rugby, but BGS defended defiantly and provided all the real entertainment with their excellent combinations between forwards and backs, dictated by halfbacks Alastair C and Sam H. Struggling for numbers due to the absence of the U16 players, BGS were unable to make the telling score that would have given a true reflection of the game.

The game against Ashville was played in a mud bath that resulted in a real seesaw battle of a game. Within a few minutes it was difficult to tell who was who. The dire conditions did not help the expansion style of play favoured by BGS; however, full back Luke M did make a number of telling breaks early on. It was a game littered with errors and Ashville were the first to capitalise with two close range tries. BGS resorted to a more direct approach which led to tries for Freddie S (two), James A and Nick M. Only a last second disputed try for Ashville helped level the score. The next game was a home outing against St Peter’s and it was a fitting finale to the year with a fiercely competitive fixture. It was the final ever school home game for the Year 13s and it was they who scored the points with Matthew L, Fabian J and Sam H contributing to the scoreboard, along with Henry S who scored the try of the season after an outstanding offload from George G.

The Year 13 players should be proud of their performances over the last two seasons. The second team have not always had the best results over the years, but this year, the great spirit and determination they have played with has given a season of which they should be proud. Alastair C, Sam H, Matt L, Harry P, Ollie S, Fabian J, Oliver B, Nikhil G and Alex S have been stalwarts of the 2nd XV squad over the last two years and have set a fine example for the younger team members. All the best for the future! Many of the Year 12 players will undoubtedly be pushing for 1st Team places next year, as will some of the U16s who stepped up so ably. As a coach, I was proud of this squad of players who always put their bodies on the line and played in such an entertaining way. Thank you for such an enjoyable season!

Coaches’ Player of the YearMatthew L

Most Improved PlayerJasper L



Player Tries Total

Alastair C 1 21

Fabian J 2 10

Jasper L 0 0

Freddie S 4 20

James A 1 5

Harry P 1 5

Luke M 0 0

Matthew L 5 25

Sam H 0 15

Pav M 0 0

Mahmoud G 0 0

Lex G 1 5

Oliver B 0 0

Nikhil G 0 0

Vistar S 0 0

Alex S 0 0

Ollie S 0 0

Henry S 2 10

Nick M 2 10

Santos O 1 5

Rahul M 1 5

Jacob O 1 5

Sam L 0 0

Reuben T 0 0

Ben H 0 0

Lewis B 3 15

Shaan A 2 10

Henry S 1 5

Hamza Z 1 5

Josh G 0 2

Tom A 0 0

James M 0 0

Harun M 0 0

Ryan W 0 0

Joe F 0 0

Freddie R 0 0

George G 0 0

Results Record

BGS 17 Ampleforth 14 1-0

BGS 7 Stonyhurst 5 2-0

GSAL 25 BGS 10 2-1

Dame Allan's 17 BGS 50 3-1

Giggleswick 0 BGS 48 4-1

BGS 0 QEGS 7 4-2

Ashville 24 BGS 24 4-2-1

BGS 22 St Peter’s 3rds 12 5-2-1

POINTS FOR 178 POINTS AGAINST 104

2nd XV Statistics

1st XV RugbyBy D Scarbrough, Specialist Sports Coach (Rugby)

The 2019/20 senior season began with a trip to Newcastle to refocus the group after a long summer break. 39 Year 12 and 13 boys were in attendance for a mixture of goal setting, field sessions, beach training and team bonding, which helped set the team up for what was to be a very successful first term performances. In total, 34 boys represented the 1st XV this year which shows just how important all players are at senior rugby level, particularly when you incorporate mid-week cup fixtures. Pre-season training matches offered opportunities to try new ideas with opposing teams Durham, Dame Allan’s and Trent College – the squad showed real promise from the off!

The first true opportunity to measure the quality of the team came against Ampleforth College in week one. The boys in maroon were narrowly beaten in the last kick of the game the previous year, however the #Geese flew high in a 33-18 victory, in the first Daily Mail Trophy game, overcoming a big Ampleforth side and scoring five tries (Ene -2), the team dynamism and cohesion really being the difference; a great start to the season!

The 1st XV then cruised past Crossley Heath in a big 45-7 win, with pocket rocket Amrit S scoring four of the seven tries after having two disallowed. An impressive feat having only played 55 out of 70 minutes in the game. Stonyhurst, who year-on-year prove to be close encounters, saw George G, score with his first touch in a Bradford Grammar shirt, only to complete a brace later in the game and help the team to a 26-8 win.

The boys were beginning to play with superb confidence and expression scoring, outstanding team tries through a variety of players from one to 15.

This run of six victories ended abruptly however in a midweek Cup fixture away at Cheadle Hulme. A catastrophic first 15 minutes into the match and BGS lost three influential players to injury, Declan J, Henry S and Henry T, all faced lengthy time away from the game. The match went from bad to worse as the team were moved to a smaller pitch against a powerful Cheadle outfit who began to take a grip of the game. The jinxed game finally ended ten minutes early when the referee was struck down with a knee injury and the match abandoned. With Cheadle having a comfortable lead, the game was given to them and the boys in maroon dropped into the plate competition.

They say men’s biggest successes follow their biggest disappointments and a good run of games saw the 1st XV brush aside Hymers, Birkdale, GSAL and Giggleswick, with GSAL away being the pick of the performances (0-71 the previous season).

After a shock first 25 minutes, the boys found themselves 21-0 down with every bounce of the ball going the way of a well-drilled GSAL side. The 1st XV absorbed a great deal of pressure on the opposition’s new third generation all weather pitch, which was notably being filmed from above by a hovering drone!

Something had to change quickly and it did. Off the back of good defensive work rate and pressure, Sam B picked up a loose ball and went the length. This was shortly followed by a classic Amrit S interception as the boys began to take risks and push the plays – momentum began to turn the way of the #Geese! Half-time struck and with spirits raised, the second half belonged to Bradford who romped home with a convincing 36-26 Victory!

The highs and physicality of the GSAL match put the 1st XV sixth nationally at that point in the Daily Mail Trophy, however the victory came at a cost with a number of boys unavailable for the following game in the North of England at Dame Allan’s School. This served up a classic banana skin for the boys to slip on. Dame Allan’s seemed to be fresher and ‘want it more’, throwing everything at BGS in the early stages, scoring first. Bradford who uncharacteristically never got a hold on the match, put themselves ahead, until the last play of the game where Dame Allan’s bundled over for a deserved win! BGS boys came away having hopefully learned something in the face of an unexpected loss!

Some wins followed against Ermysteds and Giggleswick; however, the midweek fixtures began to take their toll. Captain Ollie O and the inspirational Mbako C both picked up ankle injuries that would see them take no further part in matches until after Christmas.

Tom W took over the captain’s armband and showed his leadership skills in another of the season’s memorable performances, beating historic rivals Queen Elizabeth School Wakefield 19-15. This proved to be a gritty performance with Oscar A pulling the strings in attack whilst the rest of the team defending so passionately that this strong QEGS outfit began to run out of ideas and show signs of frustration.

Sadly, the following match against Ashville, playing in horrendously boggy and wet conditions didn’t suit the style of rugby the #Geese like to be involved with. Ashville defended very strongly and played better in the conditions taking home the spoils convincingly.



Date Venue Opponent Result Type

30.08.19 Away Durham School Won 0-0 Triangular

31.08.19 Home Trent College Won 0- 0 Pre-Season

07.09.19 Home Ampleforth College Won 33-18 Friendly

14.09.19 Away Crossley Heath Won 45-7

21.09.19 Home Stonyhurst College Won 26-8

23.09.19 Away Cheadle Hulme School

Lost 7-42 National Cup Final 16

28.09.19 Away Hymers College Won 52-33

05.10.19 Home Birkdale School Won 28-3 Friendly

12.10.19 Away GSAL Won 36-26

16.10.19 Away Giggleswick Won 57-12 National Plate – Quarter Final

19.10.19 Away Dame Allan's Lost 24-29 Friendly

06.11.19 Neutral Ermysted's Won 47-0 National Plate – Semi Final

09.11.19 Away Giggleswick Won 33-10

16.11.19 Home QEGS Won 19-15

23.11.19 Away Ashville Harrogate Lost 0-21

27.11.19 Home St Mary's College, Crosby

Draw 11-11 National Plate – Area Knockout Final

06.12.19 Neutral Hymers College Won 24-19 Friendly

13.12.19 Neutral Colfe's School Won 15-10 Friendly

A dejected and injury struck team then had the challenge of a National Plate Round three midweek fixture against the travelling St Mary’s College Crosby. BGS started the game very well with Sam B running hard at the opposition. Sadly, on the turn of half-time things seemed to turn against the home team. A penalty was reversed by the referee for one of the BGS players ‘over celebrating’ a turnover just after half time and a number of key decisions started to go against the boys from Bradford. Painfully the match ended up in a draw. The laws of the competition state that on a draw, the win goes to the away team.

The Team showed their spirit once again picking themselves up to beat Hymers at Home before a trip down to the Blackheath in London for the annual fixture against Colfes School. After an inaugural curtain raiser played by the OB’s London vs Old Colfians (OB’s victorious!), BGS 1st XV (predominantly Year 13 leavers), for the third year running, overcame a spirited Colfians team in front of a raucous crowd on a cold evening in the south. Seven cases of cramp in the last five minutes of the match showed just how much effort the boys had put in, to round off a season in style.

A big thank you must go to Ollie O and Tom W for their commitment and leadership throughout the year.

Well done boys!

Ollie O 1st XV Captain Tom W Vice-Captain

Yorkshire U18 Academy RepresentationObi EAmrit SEd HarrisonMbako CAlfie W

1st XV Statistics/Appearances 2019 – 15-a-Side

Played Tries Cons Pens Points

Amrit S 15 18 0 0 90

Mbako C 8 3 24 0 63

Sam B 16 (34) 12 0 0 60

Henry M 13 (28) 2 18 2 52

Tom W 16 (31) 8 0 0 40

Alfie W 16 5 0 0 25

George G 9 3 0 0 15

Sacha M 15 (30) 2 0 0 10

Shaan A 14 2 0 0 10

Lui S 13 2 0 0 10

Obi E 11 2 0 0 10

James M 15 1 0 0 5

Oscar A 13 1 0 0 5

Hamza Z 9 1 0 0 5

Henry S 4 1 0 0 5

Ed H 15

Joshua G 13

Ollie O 10 (26)

Ben C 10

Sam H 10

Fred R 8

Henry S 7

Declan J 7

Matthew L 7

Santos O 5

Harry P 3

Freddie S 3

Lewis B 2

Lex G 1

Oliver B 1

Alastair C 1

Fabian J 1

Henry T 1

1st VII RugbyBy D Scarbrough, Specialist Sports Coach (Rugby)

There was some excitement around the 1st VII this year after a strong showing in 2019. A good nucleus of the side remained from the previous year and the boys were ready to push for a more successful season, with Ollie O returning to action after a long lay-off and hungry for action.The boys travelled to Pocklington for a 10-a-side tournament to dust off the cobwebs, and after a slow start, the boys went away with the understanding that they needed to be fitter! In the words of Sam B, ‘Christmas was too good!’.

This was followed by another warm-up competition in the Wirral tournament which after a diversion via North Wales, the boys arrived late to their first match and hurried through their fixtures, winning four out of five with notable victories against Lancaster Grammar and Wirrell.

A round-robin of further warm-up at Yarnbury rugby club matches saw BGS 1st VII really begin to find some form, beating St Peter’s and a very frustrated Woodhouse Grove (twice).

The North of England 7s national sevens tournament was next in line and the first big tournament for the boys in maroon. There is no bigger test than Kirkham GS who came with a big reputation and a plan to win the tournament. Bradford, who attended without U17 Yorkshire Academy players Ed H, Obi E and Amrit S, could not stop the power of Kirkham’s big runners, however managed a respectable 12-28 loss, running in two quality tries. Following the first loss, some outstanding sevens was played as the team began to cut the opposition to pieces at will. Wins


followed against Loretto and Malvern only to meet Durham in the last of the group matches. BGS ran out of steam after being 12 points clear, to lose it in the last play of the game, though a very promising tournament and the blooding of youngsters Lewis B and Reuben T was a real positive of the day with neither looking out of place in the senior ranks.

Ampleforth Sevens saw the team take another big step forward towards Rosslyn Park, as the team once again beat Woodhouse Grove 15-5 in the opening game of the tournament. Two further wins against Coleg Llandrillo and Ripon Grammar put BGS into the quarter final of the Cup against Barnard Castle – winners of the notorious North of England Sevens Cup in the previous week. After going 0-20 down in the first half, the fight back came, playing with the wind in the second half. At 14-20 anything looked possible but sadly the #Geese couldn’t quite reel them in. A try a piece followed as the game ended 21-25 in favour of Barnard Castle.

At this stage, the team were progressing and improving very strongly in the build-up to Rosslyn Park. New goals were set and the team was getting fitter, stronger and more confident.

Sadly, it was at this moment the world changed, as news of the coronavirus began to take hold of the situation and schools were forced to withdraw from tournaments and eventually close schools. This ended the dreams of this team to compete at Rosslyn Park this year and quite abruptly end the season and school rugby careers of some great players, and even better boys. Good luck in your futures and many thanks for your commitment to BGS Rugby.

Squash

By J Boardman, Deputy Headmaster

In my 20 or more years at BGS, this is without doubt the most committed and successful squad I have encountered. For the past three years they have dedicated almost every lunchtime to practise here in school and to develop their courtcraft. Several members of the squad joined Otley Squash Club, gaining invaluable match experience in the pyramid leagues. Despite the curtailment of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the highlights and results remain on record. The team were unbeaten throughout the season, which included victories against, Amplethorpe College, Woodhouse Grove School and Ackworth School (National U19 Champions – 2019). Whilst the victories were hard fought and impressive, it was the way in which the students deported themselves both in victory and defeat. It’s not just about winning; it’s how you compete!

Tom Stephenson and Tom Stenhouse (Club Captain) were outstanding performers this year and their commitment to the club was simply first class and both were awarded Full School Colours on that basis. Josh P, a talented racquet player was a real strength in the team and a great competitor who was able to adapt his game plan to outwit his opponents. Will S and Rahim H also had highly successful seasons and the improvements they have both made not just in terms of technical ability but also their capacity to dig deep when it mattered will be, I hope, a life skill that will serve them well for the future. It was my pleasure to help the squad along the way; they should be all very proud of what they have achieved but most importantly remember how they did it!

U18 BGS Boys faced U18 WHG Men, but the U15 Boys had a phenomenal competition to tie. The tie was a tipping point in BGS’s favour, helping us to see off WHG 71 vs 69. We concluded this event with a concept new to BGS and WHG, ‘Skins’. With prizes up for grabs, Skins is a twist on individual competition. Race after race. The stroke? A lucky dip! Eliminating one competitor at a time until just two remain. Winner takes all. Two BGS girls, Year 11 Grace C and Year 8 Sophie T, went all the way in the girls, with Grace’s strength and experience triumphing.

In the first meet of 2020 and ravaged by illness, we visited GSAL. Since her first outing for BGS in October, Year 7 Emma B was on fire at GSAL in the absence of her experienced peers. The Boys faced talented competition across every age group. Having retired from High-Performance swimming, Rebecca C, donned goggles at her first interschool competition, as such, the senior girls never dropped a first, preventing GSAL from a whitewash win.

We welcomed Sedbergh to BGS for the first time. Depth across all four strokes seemed to be the deciding factor, easily demonstrated by a whitewash of the breaststroke events by Charity C, Oscar H, Rebecca C and Tom S. This was a competition of belief for BGS student Laura K; with no previous history of competitive swimming, who stepped up to swim 50m Fly three times in one meet, something she would never have thought possible the previous year. In the Medley relays, the U18 Girls nearly stole victory from our own U18 Boys. Next time perhaps? Sedbergh got nowhere near in the Mixed Medley Relay either; an event scheduled to be introduced at the Tokyo Olympics that involves two boys and two girls swimming one stroke each in a Medley Relay (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Front crawl). In total, the Girls lost just one event, and BGS came first in 20 of the 27 events, with 145 vs 107.

Swimming

By C Robinson, Specialist Sports Coach (Swimming)

Following last year’s progress, the 2019/20 season welcomed a new chapter of achievement for BGS Swimming. This year was capped with great performances with the Senior Girls dominating just about every event they were entered in.

ESSAs (English Schools Swimming Association)At the ESSA area qualifier, the U13s tested the water together for the first time and performed admirably. The Girls finished in the middle of the table against some talented swimmers from Yorkshire, and the U13 Boys faced even greater opposition.

The U18 Girls squad was comprised of entirely U16 students. Isabel B, Grace C, Grace D and Philippa H were most unfortunate to finish one place outside of the medals in both the Medley and Freestyle relays. Credit to Grace D who stepped in at the last minute to complement a strong team in the closest races of the competition for BGS.

The U18 Boys, Obi E, Freddie S and Tom S were joined by a newcomer embracing the ‘Hoc Age’ spirit: Jamie B stepped to his first Senior sport representation for BGS to complement the team. They were to be the BGS stars of the evening, seeing off Ripon GS by seconds in both Freestyle and Medley Relays, to collect two bronze medals.

InterschoolsInter School competitions comprise much of the fixture list, however, BGS used them wisely to hone skills and ‘play around’ this year. We introduced some new formats and new events to visiting teams. These changes and additions helped to integrate and bond the squad across age groups and genders, which is not something many other BGS sports can do.

Competitions against Woodhouse Grove and The Grammar School at Leeds were, as always, hotly contested. The first competition at home to GSAL was an U13 and U15, ‘all relay’ affair. It made for exciting racing with BGS winning the canon but GSAL coming out on top overall, 69 vs 55. We then hosted WHG, where the girls typically dominated, the

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Swimming


In what turned out to be our final Interschool fixture of the year (with our last at GSAL falling foul of COVID-19), we travelled to Woodhouse Grove. The competition may have run away from us had it not been for the Clynes, Calvert, Halse combo. Assuming the first three legs in each relay, they inflicted such a devastating lead for BGS that the one U13 (Martha J) and two U15 (Charity C and Laura K) girls who supported on the anchor leg were able to run at fifty percent, saving vital energy for their own age groups. BGS were beaten by just two events mathematically; but the scores are bringing us closer and closer to our rivals each event! BGS 92 vs 100!

John Parry RelaysAmid the Interschools competition, it was BGS’s turn to host the John Parry Relays, putting the advantage in our court. During warm-up, water spilled on to the deck with the volume of ten schools worth of swimmers in the pool.

Having been unanimously voted for last year, the under 13 age group events made their debut this year. The BGS girls challenged GSAL all the way. In the finals, both teams were streets ahead of the competition but unfortunately GSAL had enough quality for convincing wins.

In 2018, the Intermediate girls won the 4x50m Front crawl Trophy. Most of these girls were back for more, this year ... as Seniors. They (Grace C, Rebecca C, Naomi C and Izzy B) thundered to a 25m lead in the heat of the 4x50m Medley. Being hot favourites to win the final, each delivered a better performance in the final, lowering the time by a little over 1.5 seconds, and breaking the event record set by Bolton School in 2011!

Rallied by the record in the Medley Relay, the girls (Philippa H, Rebecca C, Naomi C, Izzy B) cruised into the finals of the 4x50m Freestyle. They dropped another second to take the win, but not enough to topple the record. The same team may get another crack at it next year.

Records and trophies aside, the John Parry Relays 2019 was defined by the conduct of BGS students who, after the event, I was proud and privileged to observe ‘sweep the sheds’. Poolside looked as good as it had before over 100 guests had descended upon it.

London 2020It was hit or miss whether the Whitgift Invitational and Bath Cup events would take place in March 2020, but ahead they went with hints of social distancing measures starting to develop before the government had initiated any.

To avoid 2019’s traffic calamity, the squad made the trip one day earlier and took advantage by incorporating a fantastic confidence and team building opportunity. At the Whitgift Invitational, the U18 Boys were pleased placing third overall against some astoundingly high-performance athletes. The U18 Girls went very well, narrowly missing out on first overall by just two points. The exact same squad of girls will return faster next season.

After blowing away the cobwebs at Whitgift, the Bath Cup, hosted in the London Aquatics Centre, was up next. Many schools had opted not to travel given the pandemic on the doorstep; however, there was still significant representation, and enough to challenge both girls and boys all the way.

In the morning, the girls (Leah S, Philippa H, Isabel B, Rebecca C) snuck into the final in the weaker of their two events, the 4x50m Front crawl Relay. Whilst equalling their position in the final, just making it, meant they went one better than 2019.

Then the boys (Tom S [Cap], Freddie S, Obi E, Hugo S) were up in the official Bath Cup event, a 4x100m Front crawl Relay. It was a huge step up for two of the team and they rose admirably to the occasion facing the best teams in heat one but were unable on this occasion to make the final.

The afternoon welcomed the Medley events, a 4x50m relay incorporating, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and front crawl. Typically, a strong event for both boys and girls; and this time was no different. The boys (Hugo S, Tom S, Freddie S, and Obi E) finished better than they did in the front crawl, whilst the girls (Grace C, Leah S, Rebecca C, Naomi C) made it to the final in seventh. The girls took ownership of their final, opting to gamble on their order. It paid out and helped them go over a second faster to better their position, finishing sixth overall.

All were positive results from London, considering the 2019 team may have the opportunity to return next year, barring Captain Tom S who leaves us after many years of valuable representation for BGS Swimming and Water Polo.

Reflections and thanksThanks to those parents who have shown considerable support to the Swim Team.

Thanks to the OB (London) Club for their support of the team in London.

Thanks to Maysie Scott (Rowing Grad) for accompanying the team to London as well as assistance at many Interschool fixtures. Thanks also too, to Clock House’s Hannah Smith, who has no obligation to assist with the Senior School Squad.

Finally, thanks to Oliver Rogers and members of the SLT for your continued support of our growing team. Watch this space!

Having been unanimously voted for last year, the under

13 age group events made their debut this year.

“

Table Tennis

By A Crabtree, Table Tennis Teacher

BGS Table Tennis Club had a good season, but it was sad that Evie D and Joshua P missed the chance to represent West Yorkshire in the individual finals of the English Schools Championships due to coronavirus.The under 19 boys team came second in the regional finals, having played the second and third placed teams in the competition. In the West Yorkshire finals, they had competitive matches against GSAL, Beckfoot and Woodhouse Grove but came out as winners. In the Zone finals held at BGS, they came second to Carlton le Willows Table Tennis Academy (who finished second nationally) and then in the regional finals they came a close second to St Mary’s Hull (who finished third nationally). It was a good performance particularly from Nicholas M and Joshua P in their final years at BGS. They were ably supported by James B and Innes M.

Five school teams had won the West Yorkshire finals, with the under 11 boys team defeating Ackworth, Eldwick and Lady Lane. Hari S, Aarez A, Kamran H, Jacob H and Neelen T played some excellent table tennis in their first competition for the school. The girls under 11 team defeated Eldwick with Liberty P, Olivia G, Khadija N and Robyn L all continuing to improve their play.

The under 13 girls and boys teams were also West Yorkshire winners: the under 13 girls defeated Woodhouse Grove and the boys defeated Beckfoot, BGS B and Woodhouse Grove. The girls team all contained Year 7 players with Evie S, Emma M, Holly L and Eloise B all improving during the year (Year 7). Shishir S (Year 8) was helped by an improving group of Year 7s: Raman A, Ben P and Amaan H. The B team also played excellent table tennis finishing second. Mohammed C, Henry S, Yusuf A and Nadeem H are all improving their strokes and serves.

The under 16 boys and girls teams faced Ackworth: a Table Tennis Academy with lots of high-ranking players. The teams they faced went on to become ESTTA champions. The boys finished 3rd out of five teams drawing with GSAL, but defeating Woodhouse Grove and Beckfoot, whereas the girls came second also defeating Woodhouse Grove.

In the Zone Finals which BGS hosted over a weekend in January the five qualifying teams all competed well. The under 13 girls team, strengthened by Evie D at number 1, had a very close match with Carlton le Willows drawing 4-4 but were knocked out of the competition losing by just six points finishing 3rd out of four teams. The under 13 boys competed well but finished 4th winning one of their four games. The under 11 boys had a tough group and lost both matches, but there were encouraging performances showing that regular practice improves their play.

As well as the ESTTA team event, the team enjoyed a competitive fixture against St John Fisher Harrogate who were North Yorkshire Champions in under 19 and under 16 boys.

Individually, Joshua P (under 19 boys) and Evie D (under 13 girls) were West Yorkshire Champions, Shishir S lost in the final of the under 13s to Jack T from Ackworth and Liberty P was second in the girls under 11 competition.

Thanks to all the players for working hard to improve at lunchtimes and at their clubs, and to Chris Finch for support at lunchtime and help with the ESTTA competition.

Senior School and Sixth FormSport Reports – Table Tennis


Tennis

By B Crichton, Specialist Sports Coach (Tennis)

The academic year of 2019/20 was a big leap in the right direction for BGS Tennis. It saw the launch of the individual programme which enabled players to access tennis lessons during school hours. This ensured that players were able to work towards academic excellence alongside improving their game. In its first year, the programme saw an uptake of 21 players across senior school years. Due to restrictions around academic timetables, the programme was set up in a way that meant that no pupil would miss the same lesson twice in one half term. This was well received by teachers and very adhered to by players. We hope to expand the programme going into 2020/21 with even more players taking up the exciting opportunity to have their tennis lesson during school hours.

Although the summer season never happened due to the coronavirus pandemic, an exciting summer of tennis was planned. Due to the growing numbers of players across the school, two teams at all age groups and genders were entered into the LTA Yorkshire Team Tennis event. This would have meant that there were tennis fixtures every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This year, we were looking to improve on the performances of the previous year where our Year 7 and Year 8 teams were just beaten at the regional finals play-off stage and our Year 9 and Year 10 teams came up just short in their leagues coming second.

Post year group exams, multiple away trips to tournaments at different schools such as Yarm, St Peter’s, Woodhouse Grove, Queen Margaret’s and Hymers were scheduled, to provide our players with great competitive experiences. To accompany these competitive opportunities, was going to be the introduction of the BGS Tennis Championships which would have seen a range of events at each age group, consisting of singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The competition would have come to an end with a finals day at school, which would have been a great opportunity for parents to come and watch the level of tennis at school.

The jewel in the crown of the tennis season as always would have been the ISTA Championships at Eton. The goal for this year’s teams would have been to qualify for the last 16 by making it through their group stages. As the tennis programme grows at school, the aim is to transition to a school that is competitive at the championships.

Due to this year’s season being cancelled, I hope to see players even more keen to show their skills when summer rolls round again next academic year.

BGS creates opportunities for all, encouraging pupils to embrace

new challenges with zeal, support each other’s happiness and show great character in the

pursuit of their goals.

The Bradfordian128

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The Bradfordian - Bradford Grammar School

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